The Eagle of the Ninth 4
Study Guide Questions for Ch. 4 “The Last Rose Falls”
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Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)
Light vs. Darkness, Compassion, Despair, Friendship, Providence
Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)
Where did Marcus find himself at the beginning of the chapter and what was his condition?
How long had it been since Marcus faced down Cradoc in his chariot?
How was Marcus recovered from the wreckage of the chariot?
What was Marcus “surprised to find that he cared” about?
What did they wait to tell Marcus until after “all save the deepest and most ragged…wounds were healed”?
Where would Marcus go once “he was fit to travel”?
Who was to take Marcus’ command after he left and how did Marcus already know him?
What did Centurion Maximus do which may have improved Marcus’ opinion of him for the better?
Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)
What was “the bitter taste” in Marcus’ mouth which “always brought back the darkness”?
Why did Aulus ignore Marcus’ orders to let him see Drusillus even though Marcus was still his commanding officer?
Why was Marcus not upset with what Cradoc had done?
How did Drusillus show genuine friendship to Marcus in this chapter?
How was the rose bush symbolic of Marcus’ command of the fort?
Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)
The story tells us, “Life with the Eagles was the only kind of life he [Marcus] had ever thought of, the only kind of life he had any training for; and now it was over.” What kind of education would a person need to have to prevent them from having something like this terrible realization of Marcus’? Be specific and explain your answer.
Consider the “punitive” actions the Romans took against the Britons after their rebellion (e.g. salting their fields, burning their huts, etc.). Are such actions on their part prudent or imprudent? Explain your answer with reason.
Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)
Read Genesis 43:26-30 and Matthew 5:43-48 while considering the idea of Compassion. What is compassion, how would you define it? What evidence is there in our story that Marcus has compassion for his enemies?