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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 Corlath ask Harry?

2. What does Harry see in a dream that night?

3. Who does Richard marry?

4. Who does Kentarre say she and others come to join?

5. What man does Corlath speak to when the group comes to a clearing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Corlath tell Harry about the cottage and his mother?

2. What does Harry do as Corlath and the army are leaving Luthe's and what does Luthe say to her?

3. Who joins the group at a lunch stop and what does she tell Harry?

4. What does Kentarre say to Harry when Harry is getting ready to join Corlath and what does the rest of the group do about Harry leaving?

5. What happens to Harry as her group retreat from the Northern army?

6. How does Harry feel about the city, what does the city look like, how do the people respond to her and where does Mathin leave her?

7. 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?

8. What does Harry ask Jack and how does Jack feel about her and her request?

9. Where are Harry, Senay, and Terim going at the beginning of Chapter 13, why are they going there and what is Harry carrying?

10. What does Harry do after her argument with Corlath over the Outlanders?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "The Blue Sword". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "The Blue Sword". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "The Blue Sword". Consider the death of Harry's old life as well as the death of the members of the army killed in action.

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "The Blue Sword" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "The Blue Sword" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

As in many fantasy novels, magic is an inherent part of a few of the characters and can be wielded by other characters, though not as an inherent aspect of their nature. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the use of kelar in "The Blue Sword". Who possesses the ability to kelar as an inherent aspect of their nature? How does the inequality between those who can use it and those who cannot impact the plot of "The Blue Sword"?

2. Why do you think magic exists in so many fantasy novels? Do you think a novel can be "fantasy" and there be no magic as a part of the storyline? Why or why not.

3. Would you desire to possess the ability to use magic if there were such a talent in our world? Why or why not? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of possessing such an ability?

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