The Dragon and The Raven 9

Study Guide Questions for Ch. 9 “A Prisoner”

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)

Providence, Humility, Fortitude, Respect, Indulgence, Prudence, Providence, Friendship, Freedom vs. Bondage, Jealousy, Truth, Justice, License, Ignorance

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. What was Edmund’s situation as he regained consciousness?

2. What does the story say about “the Norse and Saxon tongues?”

3. What occurred which spared Edmund from becoming a sacrifice to Odin?

4. Described the method used by the viking priest to interpret the omen concerning Edmund.

5. What kind of tasks was Edmund responsible for as Jarl Bijorn’s slave?

6. What did Jarl Bijorn say was necessary for a man to accomplish before he took a wife?

7. How did Edmund come to gain his freedom once again?

8. What was Sweyn’s reaction to Edmund becoming free?

9. What did Edmund claim concerning King Alfred “should he ever come to his kingdom again”?

10. What did Edmund say the Danes would eventually do despite their current practices as a people and what would they need when that time comes?

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

1. Why was the sight of a Saxon warship in Norway so surprising to the Danes?

2. Why might the priest of Odin have made sure that Bijorn got what he wanted when drawing sticks?

3. Why does Bijorn believe men should be significantly older before they get married?

4. What might be several reasons why Sweyn does not like Edmund? Support your answers from the text.

5. Jarl Siegbert said, “I know not of your religion myself…but I will own that though its teachings may be peaceful, it makes not cowards of those who believe in it.” From his words, what should we infer about how people form an opinion about a religion which they have never personally learned about?

6. Compare and contrast the way of life among the Danish people versus the Saxons. In what ways are they similar and in what ways are they notably different. What factors do you think account for those differences?

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

1. The Norse people believed that the gods would indicate their approval or disapproval through certain signs (auguries) such as a horse neighing (Greeks and Romans paid much attention to the flight of birds). As Christians should we believe that the true God uses omens and signs of this sort (or of any sort)? Why or why not?

2. Do you believe a society can thrive without laws? Why or why not? 

3. How many laws should a society have? Is it better to have many laws or just a few? Explain why you think as you do.

4. What are the pros and cons of the nomadic life versus the settled life? Which is ultimately better? Explain and defend your answer.

5. Define the idea of providence. How is the providence of God, on Edmund’s behalf, seen at work in this reading?

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Read Psalm 23. How does the current reading correspond with the Psalmist’s description of God’s faithfulness to his people?