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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 is Bess drawn to her new friend, Mirabelle?

2. What does Bess do to lift the spirits of the Groton villagers?

3. Who is crowned the Queen of May Day?

4. Who does Bess learn will be arriving soon at Groton?

5. What has happened to many of the Indians in the area?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Bess' state of mind in Chapter 4?

2. What is the relationship of Elizabeth, the main character, to the powerful Winthrop family?

3. Explain the technique of foreshadowing and how the author uses it as Bess enters married life at Groton Manor.

4. What is the symbolism of the celebration held by the people of Boston after John Winthrop's removal from office?

5. Why is John Winthrop worried after his ship sets sail for New England?

6. What is the environment inside Groton Manor?

7. What happens after Harry and Bess make love?

8. John Winthrop's good mood over the preparations for sailing to New England are dampened by what occurrence?

9. Why is Groton Manor a wonderland to the Fones children?

10. What other element of foreshadowing does the author use in Chapter 4?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bess and Harry both admit to being black sheep in the Winthrop family. They each crave excitement and adventure too. Compare and contrast Bess and Harry' personalities, experiences and behavior? Is their relationship ill fated? Why or why not? Would their marriage have lasted if Harry had lived longer?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the purpose of Bess' punishment by her Uncle John. Should the intolerance for anything outside the Puritan religion be extended to the children? Does Uncle John succeed in teaching Bess the lesson he had hoped to or does she take away something completely counter to his purpose? Explain the use of humiliation as a form of punishment and whether or not it accomplishes anything other than inciting hatred toward the one administering the punishment.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the irony of John Winthrop's restrictive religious views in the New World. People had fled England for the New World in order to escape religious persecution. Why do religious issues follow them in the person of John Winthrop? What lessons are they being taught? Do you think God wants them to suffer even more for what they believe? Does all religion come at a price?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 985 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample