View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Anna ask for to help during delivery of Mary's baby?

2. Why does Anna go to the tavern after Maggie comes back?

3. Why does Anna happen to be in the field where the crowd gathers?

4. Why doesn't any of the murderous mob get prosecuted for their actions?

5. Who comes to the rectory demanding to see the rector, saying that their influence in the village is not to be ignored?

Short Essay Questions

1. What confrontation ensues at the Bradford household after Mompellion's sermon? Is anything resolved?

2. What does the rector say the plague-stricken villagers should do? How does this differ from the rest of the group?

3. What do the children find in the woodpile? How is this dangerous?

4. What does Anna do to try to stop the crowd during the witch frenzy? Is this effective?

5. What does George tell Anna to do with his possessions? Why do you think he tells her this?

6. What does Anna do to try to console the rector? How does he respond?

7. What is the condition of the rector in the beginning of the novel?

8. What defense does Anys employ when being accused of witchcraft? Why do you think she does this?

9. Why is Anna surprised when the rector comes upon her in the field? How does the rector react to this?

10. What is Mem's condition after the incident with the crowd? Who takes care of her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Think about the different ways the villagers stray from the rector's instruction to try to combat the plague. Cite at least three examples of the villager's use of magic or other extreme measures to try to protect their loved ones. Do you think these methods are harmful? More harmful than the rector's plan/ method? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Think about the rector's internal struggle. After Elinor's death, he no longer believes in God, and denounces all his actions leading up to his relationship with Anna. Do you think he regrets his treatment of Elinor? If so, does Anna have good reason to be repulsed by him? If he vows that he is a changed man, that he has shed all of his papal learning, should Anna still judge him for his previous acts? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Think about the difference between the Gowdie garden and Elinor's garden. Are Mem's and Anys's fates much different from Elinor's? How might these gardens affect their deaths? Think specifically about the reasons for these characters' deaths and each garden's instrumentality in the survival of the village.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 947 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample