Crispin: Essay Test A

{Reading Grade}…

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CRISPIN: THE CROSS OF LEAD by Avi

Essay Questions: (Answer questions 1-14 on a separate sheet of paper.)

1. What does Asta’s son see and hear in the forest the night his mother dies? What

happens when Aycliffe sees him?

2. What was the daily life of a serf like? What did they receive from Lord Furnival in

return?

3. Father Quinel reveals three things in chapter 8. What are they? What does he promise

to reveal later?

4. What advice does Cerdic give Crispin about which direction to go? What are Cerdic’s

real reasons for suggesting Crispin go west?

5. Crispin encounters two dead men shortly after fleeing the village. How does each

affect him?

6. After Crispin gives his sacred oath to Bear, he regrets it, thinking it “far better to have

died on the road.” What causes him to think his fate is so bleak? Why does he believe

he must keep his oath? What does that tell you about his character?

7. Why does Crispin believe that Bear is mad? List three things that Bear does or says

that would lead Crispin to believe that Bear is crazy. Would you think the same thing

if you were in Crispin’s shoes? Why or why not?

8. Crispin is confused by Bear claiming it is best to “live by questions,” not by answers.

What do you think he means by that? Do you think Crispin is living by answers

before this scene? Explain.

9. How does Bear challenge Crispin’s ideas about God? Find two examples of how Bear

shows Crispin to think differently or to reconsider his opinion about God’s place in

his life. Are there any passages when Bear is unable to influence Crispin’s religious

beliefs?

10. Why does Crispin disobey Bear and leave the Green Man Tavern? Would you have

done the same? Why or why not? Was Bear’s reaction when he sees Crispin what you

expected?

11. If you could give Crispin one piece of advice, what would it be and when would you

tell him? Why? How would it change the course of the novel?

12. Compare and contrast Crispin’s attitude towards God, treason, village life, and

royalty at the beginning and end of the book. How has his view of himself changed?

Discuss how his sense of self is related to his changed perception of the world.

13. The book constantly explores the notion of what it means to be “free.” Are there

different kinds of freedom presented in the book? Find passages where characters

discuss the concepts of freedom and how Crispin reacts to hearing them. How do you

think he finally comes to define “freedom?”

14. Why do you think Avi chose to write about a nameless boy instead of a lord or

prince? What aspects of medieval life would a peasant experience that a prince would

not?

Book Summary:

Author Information:

Book Related Activities

1. Create an illustrated map that follows Crispin’s travels, including Stromford, the

abandoned town, Lodgecot, and Great Wexley.

2. Write a story about what happens to Bear and Crispin after they leave Great

Wexley.

3. The novel takes place during 1377 in England. Research and find out more about

the medieval life, the rulers of that time, and any wars or battles that happened

within 20 years of the book. Present your findings to the class.