By Ann Rinaldi
Historical Fiction
Quiz
Answer each of the following questions in a Word document.
1. Ann Rinaldi chooses to tell the story of the Salem
Witch Trials through a fictional narrator, Susanna English, rather than
from the point of view of one of the girls involved. What effect does this
have on the story?
2. Imagine that you were in Susanna English's place.
Would you have spoken out against the girls knowing that they were
pretending and that they were accusing innocent people? Would you have
remained quiet in order to protect your family? Explain your reasoning.
3. One possible explanation for the girls' behavior is
that they ingested mold from bread.
In the novel, Rinaldi provides several reasons why the girls may have
acted out, including economic and social motivations, among others.
Discuss one of these reasons in depth using examples from the novel.
4. At the end of the novel, Ann
Putnam asks the townspeople for their forgiveness. She is surprised to
see Susanna, and asks for her forgiveness as well. What reasons would the
townspeople have for forgiving her after her part in the trials? Would you
forgive her?
Click here to see the Grading Rubric.
Rinaldi, Ann. A
Break With Charity. Harcourt Brace Inc. 1992.295.9780152046828.
