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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 does Alec say about the Duchess's part in Lord Ferris's plan to kill Basil?

2. What happens to Lord Ferris's position as Dragon Chancellor?

3. Who does Lord Horn want to help him with Richard?

4. What does Michael decide to do about the deaths of Applethorpe and Lord Horn?

5. What is the performance Alec wants Richard to go to called?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Richard think about the audience at the performance he and Alec go to?

2. Why does Lord Ferris want to see Richard after he is captured?

3. What does Richard think of the performance he and Alec go to?

4. What objection does Alec pose to writing the letter?

5. What does Katherine think she recognizes about Alec?

6. What is Richard and Alec's last night together like?

7. What does the Duchess tell Katherine after Alec injures himself?

8. What allows Richard to win the duel in Chapter 16?

9. How did Katherine end her position with Lord Ferris?

10. How do the men who capture Richard incapacitate him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The main characters of the novel are gay lovers. Discuss gender and sex in the novel.

1) How does the society of the novel view bisexuality and homosexuality? Are Alec and Richard accepted as lovers? Why or why not?

2) How do the different classes of the society view sex differently? How do they view promiscuity as well as homosexuality?

3) What role does the fact that Alec and Richard are the same gender play in the novel? Does it make a difference?

Essay Topic 2

The society of the nobles is filled with secrecy and manipulation. Discuss secrecy and manipulation and their role in the novel.

1) How do the nobles manipulate each other and those around them? What are they trying to achieve through manipulation? Use examples from the book.

2) What kinds of secrets do the characters in the novel keep, both about themselves and about others?

3) How does Alec's secrecy about his past differ from the noblemens' secrecy about their plots and schemes?

Essay Topic 3

In many way, the novel is a love story about Richard and Alec. Discuss love in the novel.

1) How does Richard express his love for Alec? What does love mean to Richard?

2) How does Alec express his love for Richard? What does love mean to Alec?

3) How do the other characters express love? Is love different among different social classes? How is love viewed by society in general?

(see the answer keys)

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