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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 does Richard marry?

2. What is Harry going to be doing according to Corlath?

3. Whose honor is Mathin's honor?

4. Who is with Harry at the opening to Chapter Thirteen?

5. How many Outlander soldiers follow Harry into the Hills?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Luthe advise Harry about her questions about her future?

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

3. How does Harry feel when she realizes she has lost her sash and how does Jack receive the group?

4. What amuses Corlath when he comes to Harry in the city and what does he say about what will be done next?

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

6. What does Jack do when he hears Harry and what does Tom Lloyd notice about Harry?

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

8. How does Jack feel about Harry being a Rider, and how does Harry find out about her heritage?

9. What does Harry find when she follows a small stream away from the hall of Luthe and what does she learn there?

10. What does Harry do the first night in Luthe's hall, what does she want to know and what does he ask her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Harry is in some ways a larger-than-life heroine. Despite incredible odds, she comes out on top, such as winning the laprun or destroying the Northern army. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life heroine make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on her feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Harry who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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