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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 Covenant say is suicide for a leper?

2. What does Troy believe regardless of what Covenant says?

3. What is the one thing for which Troy cannot forgive Covenant?

4. From where is the woman who arrives with news?

5. What is left of the woman with leprosy?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Covenant viewed in the Land?

2. How does Covenant respond to Lord Hyrim's request and who does Covenant think of as Hyrim is leaving?

3. What do Covenant and Lord Mhoram discuss?

4. What happens in Elena's room while she and Covenant are waiting for a dream interpreter?

5. Who comes in from Ra and what news does the person bring?

6. What happens when Troy and Covenant come upon Trell Atiaran-mate?

7. How does Troy react to the news about Lord Foul's army, and who is leading the army?

8. Who is Hile Troy and what should he be able to be proof of to Covenant?

9. What type of phone calls is Covenant receiving and what happens to the stables?

10. What does Lord Hyrim explain to Covenant when Hyrim wakes Covenant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Thomas Covenant is in some ways a larger-than-life hero and in other ways an anti-hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in The Illearth War and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

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

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

3. Choose one other character besides Covenant who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person. Illustrate your statements with examples from the text.

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

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 Illearth War and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Illearth War 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

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in The Illearth War. 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 Donaldson 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 Donaldson chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Donaldson's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Donaldson 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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