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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Lord Horn's position on swordsmen's right to refuse a job?

2. What is Katherine's current profession?

3. How many swordsman are killed, as the novel begins?

4. Who tries to talk to Alec on the street on the night of the Duchess's party?

5. Where does the Duchess invite Basil and Mary?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the conflict between Lord Basil Halliday and Lord Karleigh?

2. What happens when Alec wakes Richard during the night, after Richard's meeting with Katherine?

3. What is Alec's advice to Richard about the job Richard has been offered?

4. Describe what Michael overhears between Michael's casual male lover and the woman Michael has just slept with.

5. Why is it ill-advised for Lord Horn to send the letter he sends to Richard?

6. Why is the idea of becoming a swordsman a joke for Michael?

7. How does Richard reply to Lord Horn's letter?

8. Describe the job that Richard is approached with in Chapter 8.

9. What is Michael's relationship with Vincent Applethorpe?

10. What does Richard tell Katherine about Alec's background?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several of the characters in the novel take self-destructive action. Discuss self-destruction in the novel.

1) Why is Alec self-destructive? How does Richard respond to his self-destructive tendencies?

2) In what ways is Richard self-destructive? How does he put himself in harm's way?

3) What other characters are self-destructive? How do they harm themselves through their actions or inactions?

Essay Topic 2

Swordsmanship is central to the novel. Discuss sword fighting in the novel.

1) What changes about Michael after he studies sword fighting? What causes him to change?

2) What does sword fighting require? Is it a laudable occupation? What drives Richard to be a swordsman?

3) Basil believes hiring swordsmen is barbaric. Explain his point of view. Why does he think it is barbaric? How true is his depiction?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss power and corruption in the novel?

1) Who among the nobility has power? How do the nobles gain, keep, and use their power?

2) Lord Horn and Lord Ferris are corrupt. How does their corruption affect how they use their power? What corrupts them? How are they different from Lord Basil?

3) Who among the lower classes has power? How do the lower-class gain, keep, and use their power?

(see the answer keys)

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