The+Sword+of+Shannara

by Terry Brooks
The //Sword of Shannara// is a fantasy novel by Terry Brooks, and the first book in the Original Shannara Trilogy. Brooks began writing this book when he was 23 as a way to fight what he called an "increasingly rapid descent into terminal boredom" brought on by his just entering law school. It took him 7 years to write since he was also completing his classes at Washington and Lee University. He got much of his inspiration for writing the book from reading Tolkien's //Lord of the Rings.// Check out the author, Terry Brooks. Visit his website at: http://www.terrybrooks.net/index.html

Read more about why Brooks wrote this novel. http://www.terrybrooks.net/novels/sword-note.html



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//From Random House for High School// - http://www.randomhouse.com/highschool/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780345314253&view=tg
 * Questions The Sword of Shannara**


 * 1.** Why does Shea resist what Allanon reveals about the role of humanity in and after the First War of the Races? How does the Druid's version of history differ from Shea's? Is one version true and the other false? Is there an objective way to determine historical truth?

2. Shea tells Allanon: "Central governments have always been the greatest danger to mankind. Now there are none--small communities are the new rule of life. Some things are better left alone by everyone." Does Sheas opinion change by the end of the book? Why or why not? Do you agree or disagree with Shea? Does his statement express a common point of view in the United States today? Provide examples.

3. According to Allanon, men today have forgotten the past; they know little of the present and less of the future. Based on this view, is Allanon optimistic or pessimistic about the prospects of the races of man? Do his actions accord with his statements?

4. Briefly relate the history of Brona and the Skull Bearers. Include the origin of the name "Brona."

5. On the banks of the Silver River, Shea and Flick are saved from a Skull Bearer by a mysterious old man. What is the object the old man uses? What word does he use to refer to it. . . and why?

6. Why does Allanon warn Shea to use the Elfstones only as a last resort?

7. Why is it that Shea alone can wield the Sword of Shannara? Why does Allanon call this "the greatest irony of all"?

8. Why doesn't Shea recognize the Sword the first time he sees it? What does this tell us about the nature of the Sword. . . and about Shea?

9. What is the disagreement between Balinor and his brother, Palance? When Balinor returns to Tyrsis, he goes to the palace despite being warned to stay away. Do you think Balinor is being foolish or brave? Is his love for Palance a weakness or a virtue? Does Balinor place the welfare of his kingdom above that of his brother and father? Why or why not?

10. Why does Stenmin attempt to murder Menion Leah?

11. Compare and contrast the relationship of Allanon and Shea with that of Stenmin and Palance.

12. Do you think Menion is justified in killing Stenmin even though the mystic is unarmed? Describe another moment when Menion is faced with the choice of killing an unarmed man. Are the two occasions different -- or is it Menion who has changed?

13. What is the power of the Sword of Shannara? What does it do to Shea? To Orl Fane? To the Warlock Lord? Why does the Sword have a different effect on each of them?

14. How is Shea changed by the Sword? What other things have changed him in the course of his adventures? Does Allanons opinion of Shea reflect these changes?

15. In the literary technique of "doubling," the author splits off aspects of one character into a second character, so that the second character becomes a mirror image of the first. Keeping in mind that images in a mirror are reversed, discuss with respect to the characters of Shea and Orl Fane. What other examples of doubling can you find in The Sword of Shannara?

16. What price must Allanon pay for his longevity?

17. What is Allanons relationship to Bremen?

18. Who unexpectedly appears at the Ohmsford's inn at the end of the book? What has he brought with him. . . and does he tell Shea's father the truth about how he got it? Does this ending change your understanding of Shea's escape and the sacrifices that made it possible?