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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. Why does Karl have Johan run alongside the wagon?

2. Who arrives in the middle of the night?

3. Whose scriptural interpretations does Kristina sometimes question?

4. What does Kristina worry about concerning Karl?

5. What does Karl say in the letter about Christmas?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Karl tell Petrus about Karl's brother, Robert?

2. Where does Robert go when he leaves the house and what does he imagine for a while?

3. Why does Karl take out the money Robert gave him and what does he think when he is looking at it?

4. For what is Jonas famous and what does he tell Karl?

5. Why is Kristina better able to take care of her family?

6. Who arrives in Center City to open a general store and how does it go for him? How do the women feel about him?

7. What happens with Johan and why when a storm hits when Karl and Johan are on the road?

8. What gift from Ulrika does Kristina dislike and why? What does Karl say about it?

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

10. What does Ulrika plan to do to present her baby when it is born?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

The reader learns that Robert had been fleeing a life in which he was subservient to others. This seems more in keeping with his personality than do Robert's claims that he wanted to seek his fortune in California. Robert also does not seem to want to work hard.

1. How would Robert's personality possible be the type of personality of very good entrepreneurs? Discuss the character or personality traits with the types of skills an entrepreneur might need. Use examples from the text and your own knowledge to support your answer.

2. Discuss why a person like Robert might be called an under-achiever. Use examples from the text and your own knowledge to support your answer.

3. What kinds of work do you think a person like Robert might do in the present time? Why would you chose those types of work? Use examples from the text and your own knowledge to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by this book. Questions that most likely Moberg wanted the readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout The Settlers and discuss Moberg's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

(see the answer keys)

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