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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. Whose scriptural interpretations does Kristina sometimes question?

2. Where does Karl put Johan to keep him warm?

3. What does Kristina sometimes feel disappointed about when she wakes in the morning?

4. What does Karl buy from the lumber company?

5. What has Karl built for the second time for his family?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens in Minnesota in 1858 and how does it affect Karl and his family?

2. How do Robert and Arvid set off for California from St. Louis?

3. What dream does Kristina have about a baby and how does she feel about the dream?

4. Why does Karl get an ox and how does he get one?

5. Why is someone pounding at Kristina and Karl's door in the night and who is it?

6. Who does Karl meet in the forest and what does he do after he meets the man?

7. Where does Karl plan to take the grain, why is he taking it there and who is going with him?

8. What does Ulrika say to Kristina about the way she works and how does Kristina respond?

9. What does Karl write in his letter to his parents?

10. What does Karl tell Kristina after Persson comes to dinner and what does the church warden in Sweden have to do with America?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

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

2. Trace and analyze the theme of mental/emotional illness. Which characters struggle with some sort of emotional illness? Why? Which characters seem really healthy emotionally/mentally? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death. How did the death of Arvid affect Robert? What about Robert's death? How was Karl's reaction to both deaths similar and different?

4. Discuss why the Nilssons moving to America was a type of death for the Nilsson family. Use examples from the book to illustrate your discussion.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss The Settlers based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The Settlers is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that The Settlers is primarily for entertainment changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

The Settlers is written in the genre of historical fiction. Discuss the following:

1. What sets historical fiction apart from other genres? Discuss several characteristics of historical fiction that are absent in other genres and vice verse.

2. Some people might say that historical fiction is merely for entertainment? Do you agree? Explain.

3. Discuss why The Settlers falls under the genre of historical fiction.

4. Why do you think literary criticism breaks down fiction into genres? Do you think the labeling of genre to a work is useful to a reader? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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