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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. Who is with Harry at the opening to Chapter Thirteen?
2. Who are the legendary archers of Damar?
3. What does Jack say of Harry's great-grandmother?
4. How is Harry initiated into the Riders?
5. What are Harry's quarters like?
Short Essay Questions
1. Where does Corlath take Harry to stay near the palace and what does he say about the place?
2. How does Harry feel when she realizes she has lost her sash and how does Jack receive the group?
3. What does Corlath tell Harry about the cottage and his mother?
4. How do Harry and Sir Charles and Amelia reconcile and what is the end result of relations between the Hill folk and the Homelanders?
5. What happens to Harry as her group retreat from the Northern army?
6. What does Harry do after her argument with Corlath over the Outlanders?
7. What do Harry's group and the men with Jack do after they eat breakfast and what does Jack think about where they are going and what is Senay's response to his concern?
8. Where are Harry, Senay, and Terim going at the beginning of Chapter 13, why are they going there and what is Harry carrying?
9. What does Harry do as Corlath and the army are leaving Luthe's and what does Luthe say to her?
10. What does Jack tell Harry about where they should go, what does Harry see when she is sleeping and what does she see in the fire when she wakes up?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Discuss the following:
1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?
2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "The Blue Sword", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?
3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "The Blue Sword". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?
Essay Topic 2
Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:
1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Robin McKinley.
2. What in McKinley's background may have helped him in writing "The Blue Sword"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?
3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.
Essay Topic 3
Choose one of the following to discuss:
1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in this story. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think McKinley chooses the symbols he does?
2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think McKinley chooses the metaphors she does?
3. Discuss McKinley's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does McKinley use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).
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This section contains 1,306 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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