Crispin: Essay Test C

{Reading Grade}…

#____ Name______________________________________________________ Date___________

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?

Write a Book Summary: (Respond on a sheet of notebook paper.)

Compile an Author Information paragraph on Avi: (Respond on a sheet of notebook paper.)

Book Related Activities: (Pick one and respond on a sheet of notebook paper.)

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. Tell more about medieval life, the rulers of that time, and any wars or battles that happened within 20 years of the book. Record your findings on notebook paper.