The Dragon and The Raven 1

Study Guide Questions for Ch. 1 “The Fugitives”

If you are looking for the beginning of the study for G. A. Henty’s The Dragon and The Raven then you can go HERE for a brief introduction. At the bottom of the introduction you will find the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. If you would like to see the growing list of book studies available for free on this site you can go HERE. Enjoy!

Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

License, Freedom vs. Bondage, Prudence, Truth

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. Where is the main character as the story opens?

2. What did Edmund do while he was waiting for his father to return?

3. What nation had recently begun invading England?

4. What is the name of the people who are currently the lords of England?

5. What had “enabled the Danes to get a firm footing” in England?

6. What did Edmund and his family plan to do in light of the invasion?

7. How does G. A. Henty (the author) describes the state of things in England in the 9th century as it concerns art, religion, architecture, and education?

8. What idea did Edmund’s father, Eldred, present to him which greatly astonished him?

9. What did Eldred say had made the Britons weak when once they had many “manly virtues”?

10. Why, according to Eldred, did the serfs not really care about the invasion that was happening?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. What vice might be ascribed to the current King who “will not arouse himself and call his” men to fight?

2. Why did Edmund’s father, Eldred, decide to leave their treasures behind?

3. What indications are there that Prince Alfred might one day become a great ruler?

4. Why did Eldred say that it was probably “for the best” that his wife and daughters had died?

5. Why was Edmund so surprised by the thought his father shared concerning serfdom in England? 

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. Eldred explained to his son the vices of serfdom (slavery) and the virtues of freedom. How should we define the concept of freedom? Why is freedom important for individuals and for a nation? If freedom is better overall then why have so many nations throughout history utilized some form of slavery or serfdom? Is there anything a person could do which would legitimately warrant them no longer having freedom? Explain your answers carefully.

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Read Galatians 5:13-15. What, according to Scripture, should believers do with their freedom? What dangers of freedom does it warn us to avoid?

2. Read 1 Peter 2:13-17. Does having freedom mean that there are no restraints upon us or authorities but our own selves? Explain your answer.