View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why doesn't Sister shoot the welcome man when she recognizes him as the evil man?

2. What security measure does Friend bypass on Warwick Mountain?

3. What does Robin see when he dream walks using the glass ring?

4. How does Robin help lead Sister's group to Mary's Rest?

5. What plant grows from the seeds that Swan planted at the lake?

Short Essay Questions

1. What arrangements does the evil man make with the Army of Excellence?

2. How does Roland feel about Macklin during the fighting with the American Allegiance and Mary's Rest?

3. What does Macklin think of what his Job's Mask has done to his face?

4. What does Hugh say about the state of the western part of the United States ?

5. How does Rusty save Swan?

6. What is Sister's old mantra, and how does it help her on her way to Mary's Rest?

7. What effect does the shard from the glass ring have on Hugh?

8. Why does Robin want to see Swan?

9. How does Swan defeat Friend in the end?

10. What happens to Sister's group when they become lost in the forest on the way to Mary's Rest?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Forgiveness is an essential component of the plot from the beginning of the novel through to the very end. It is a critical element of the goodness that Swan shares with the world and allows her to change people, to heal communities, and to triumph effortlessly over evil.

1) Explain how Swan demonstrates her capacity for forgiveness throughout the novel, citing specific examples.

2) Discuss the way that other characters perceive the act of forgiveness. What does Sister believe about forgiveness? How is her belief denied or confirmed in the plot?

3) What impact does forgiveness have on Friend? How does Swan use this, without exerting any effort, to defeat Friend at every encounter?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, many characters sacrifice themselves for causes they believe are more important than themselves. These decisions are obviously not easy, but they are made quickly and with no regrets.

1) Explain the sacrifices that Leona and Rusty make for Swan's sake.

2) Explain Macklin's sacrifice at the end of the novel. Why was this action relatively unexpected? Discuss whether or not this act does anything to redeem Macklin.

3) Discuss why some characters become quickly resolved to lay down their lives, whereas others do not rise to the challenge.

4) Explain the importance of the theme of sacrifice to the overall theme of forgiveness and redemption in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Macklin forms the Army of Excellence in order to expand his power and satisfy the depraved urges of the Shadow Soldier for blood and destruction. The Army is relatively successful under Macklin's command. It defeats many other armies and lays waste to Mary's Rest, nearly destroying everything that Swan and the other protagonists have worked for.

1) Explain how the Army of Excellence is formed, how it is commanded, organized, and run.

2) Describe the goals of the army and how is goes about achieving them.

3) Discuss the moral character of the army as a whole. What evil or unsavory acts does it condone? In what evil acts does it engage? What is Macklin's influence on these acts?

4) Summarize the effectiveness and success of the army, citing specific examples given in the book.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 917 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample