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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 does Anna's father do to Christopher Unwin during the night?

2. Where does Anna go to find more sleep aid?

3. Where is Faith when Anna comes to visit Aphra?

4. What do the townspeople accuse Aphra of doing?

5. Who comes running toward the group in the middle of the Thanksgiving service?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the rector summoned to Christopher Unwin's house? Why does Anna see Christopher again later, bloody and naked?

2. What image of Elinor's death does the author convey? What might this symbolize or show about Anna's view of Elinor?

3. Why does Anna take Anteros for a ride? What do you think this symbolizes?

4. What color do the rector and Elinor wear to the Thanksgiving ceremony? What might this symbolize?

5. Where is Aphra kept overnight? What effect does this have on her? On the villagers?

6. Why doesn't Anna use the letter of introduction the rector wrote for her? What danger lurks for her if she isn't careful?

7. Why does Aphra blame Anna for her husband's death? What does Anna notice about Aphra when they bury him?

8. Why is Anna repulsed by the rector? How do you think this contributes to the choice of her final destination in the novel?

9. Why is Anna so angry with the Mowbrays? Who has influenced them to do these actions?

10. How does the rector react to Elinor and Anna's actions? What is odd about his reaction when he first sees them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Anna and Elinor have a very close relationship in the novel, almost that of mother and daughter. Discuss the evolution of their relationship, and how Elinor fills a void in Anna's life, especially after the loss of her sons. Think of Anna's upbringing, her class, and job.

Essay Topic 2

Think about Anna's adoration of her children. What does Aphra tell her about this? How are the tables turned later on in the book? Is Aphra's heart truly hardened, as Anna says? Be sure to use examples.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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This section contains 982 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample