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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. How many witches did Henri le Clerc exterminate?

2. In Chapter 9, how many lines of the note that was in Fry's hand does Poe believe he has deciphered?

3. How many Basque witches did Pierre de Lancre execute during a four-month period of time?

4. Who does Poe say was once Fry's roommate?

5. When was the body of Cadet Fry removed?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Fry's body preserved until his parents can arrive?

2. Why does Landor converse with a steward at the mess hall in Chapter 16?

3. What is Professor Pawpaw's cottage like outside?

4. Who was de Lancre, and what did he write that seemed to have relevance to the Fry case?

5. What is Landor's response when Thayer asks for his help in investigating the death and mutilation of Cadet Fry?

6. What happens at West Point at 4 p.m.?

7. Why is Landor staying at Mr. Cozzens' hotel in Chapter 4?

8. Why does Landor write to Henry Kirke Reid on October 30, 1830?

9. What does Landor find on Fry's body?

10. What is Professor Pawpaw's library like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In The Pale Blue Eye, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the storyline? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

Essay Topic 2

Occasionally Landor directly speaks to readers. This is called “breaking the fourth wall.” How does it seem that the narrator is having conversations with readers throughout The Pale Blue Eye? How do these conversations provide information to readers that characters may not be privy to? What is the purpose of breaking the fourth wall?

Essay Topic 3

Poe is removed from the investigation. How and why is Poe removed from the murder investigation?

(see the answer keys)

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