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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 happens with the delivery of a letter from the Dutch Director-General?

2. What surprise awaits Bess as she arrives at the governor's mansion?

3. What does Bess do after the birth of her son two days before Christmas?

4. What happens with the arrival of Captain Underhill?

5. What does Telaka tell Bess when they meet in the woods?

Short Essay Questions

1. What occurs in Chapter 18 which is a mixed blessing for Bess?

2. What spiritual experience does Bess have in Chapter 24?

3. How does Bess disrupt Thomas' attempt to take her land away from her in the name of Robert Feake?

4. What does Bess do when she and Will are accused of adultery and are about to be parted forever?

5. Why do Bess and Will go to New Amsterdam together?

6. What surprising statement does the harsh John Winthrop make just prior to his death?

7. Why does Toby build on a room to Bess' house?

8. What is the final symbolic representation of Bess' marriage to Robert?

9. What occurs in Chapter 18 to mark the turning point of Bess' personal life?

10. What would make the villagers accuse Bess of being a witch?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the irony of Bess' boredom being married to a lively character like Harry Winthrop. How has the original excitement about Harry diminished? Does Harry even know how to be a good husband based on the father whose example he has had? Could the marriage between Bess and Harry be saved? What would it take to fix it?

Essay Topic 2

What are the circumstances leading up to Bess' being accused of being a witch. Do you think Bess purposely invited the suspicion? What could Bess have done differently to avoid suspicion by the neighbors and villagers? How do the accusations and Bess' relationship with Anne Hutchinson make Bess feel about God?

Essay Topic 3

In spite of her controversial nature, Bess is the healthiest character in the book. Explain why you think this is the case. Does Bess' mental state mirror her physical state? Does her positive outlook help her stay centered and healthy? Or does Bess' willfulness refuse to give in to weakness of any kind. Give your thoughts about Bess' state of healthy mind and body.

(see the answer keys)

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