Quiz Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone Diana Gabaldon

Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone: 20-Question Book Quiz

Welcome to the Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone quiz. This 20-question test spans the entire novel, covering plot sequence, character motivations, key themes, and synthesis questions. Each question is based directly on the chapter outline. Use the answer key at the end to check your responses.

Quiz Questions

Plot & Sequence (8 questions)

  1. On what date does the novel's main action at Fraser's Ridge begin? A) June 17, 1779 B) July 4, 1776 C) October 7, 1780 D) March 30, 1781

  2. What object does Brianna give Jamie for the hearthstone of the New House? (Short answer)

  3. When William Ransom is beaten and nearly hanged by a British major, who saves him by fabricating a spy cover story? A) Lord John Grey B) Denys Randall C) Ezekiel Richardson D) John Cinnamon

  4. What medicinal substance does Claire find in a small packet thrown onto her porch by a tall woman in black? (Short answer)

  5. Which animal kills Amy Higgins while she is picking scuppernong grapes? A) A wolf B) A bear C) A wild boar D) A mountain lion

  6. What is the name of the ship on which Lord John Grey is held prisoner by Ezekiel Richardson? A) The Hermione B) The Pallas C) The Artemis D) The Bruja

  7. In which battle does Jamie Fraser suffer a severe chest wound that nearly kills him? (Short answer)

  8. Who does William Ransom discover is still alive at the Continental camp near Morristown? A) Denzell Hunter B) Adam Grey C) Benjamin Grey D) Sir Henry Clinton

Character Motivation (5 questions)

  1. Why does Roger MacKenzie seek ordination as a minister? (Short answer)

  2. Why does Jamie kill Claire's rapist (the man Claire saw alive at Beardsley's)? A) To avenge Claire's honor publicly B) Because the man threatened to harm Jemmy C) Because he cannot leave the man living nearby and unsafe D) To prevent the man from testifying against them

  3. Why is Fanny (Frances) terrified when she begins menstruating? A) She thinks she is dying B) She thinks she will now be sold as a prostitute C) She believes it is a curse from her dead sister D) She fears she will be forced to marry immediately

  4. Why does Ian Murray travel north with Rachel and his mother Jenny? (Short answer)

  5. Why does William Ransom propose marriage to Amaranthus Cowden? A) He loves her deeply and wants to protect her B) He wants to free himself from the earldom by passing the title to a child C) He needs her money to fund his search for Lord John D) He is seeking revenge against Benjamin Grey

Theme & Symbol (4 questions)

  1. What do bees symbolise throughout the novel, particularly in the rituals performed by Claire and John Quincy Myers? (Short answer)

  2. What does the blue light that appears when Master Raymond, Dr. McEwan, and Claire attempt to heal represent? A) A sign of divine intervention B) A time-traveler's healing ability C) A chemical reaction from quinine D) A ghostly presence from the stones

  3. What does the unfinished third floor of the New House symbolise as the story progresses? (Short answer)

  4. When Jamie recites the poem about a "bee-loud glade" and asks the bees to take care of Claire, what does this moment primarily signify? A) Jamie's acceptance that he may die in battle B) Jamie's decision to become a beekeeper C) Jamie's anger at Claire for her past with Frank D) Jamie's wish to sell the Ridge and move away

Synthesis (3 questions)

  1. How does Jamie's attitude toward Frank Randall's history book (The Soul of a Rebel) change from the beginning of the novel to when he burns it? (Explain briefly)

  2. Compare the moral reasoning of Jamie (killing Claire's rapist) and Roger (killing Stephen Bonnet/Boble). How do they each seek absolution for these acts?

  3. In what ways does the novel explore the concept of "home" across different time periods? Give two specific examples from the story.

Answer Key

  1. A) June 17, 1779 – The Mackenzies arrive unexpectedly on this date at Fraser's Ridge (Chapter 1).

  2. A Craftsman chisel – Brianna gives Jamie a modern chisel to place under the hearthstone as part of the house-building ritual (Chapter 1).

  3. B) Denys Randall – Denys Randall rescues William by claiming he is a spy and fabricating a cover story (Chapter 7).

  4. Jesuit bark (quinine) – The packet contains quinine, a desperately needed malaria treatment (Chapter 16).

  5. B) A bear – Amy Higgins is fatally attacked by a bear while picking grapes (Chapter 27).

  6. B) The Pallas – Richardson holds Lord John captive aboard the ship Pallas (Chapters 138, 152).

  7. The Battle of Kings Mountain (October 7, 1780) – Jamie is shot in the chest during the battle (Chapters 145–147).

  8. C) Benjamin Grey – William finds his cousin Ben alive, serving as a Continental general under the alias Rafe Bleeker (Chapter 104).

  9. He feels a divine calling to minister to the community; he wants to be formally ordained as a Presbyterian minister – Roger discusses his vocation with Claire and Jamie (Chapters 5, 73).

  10. C) Because he cannot leave the man living nearby and unsafe – Jamie confesses to Roger that he killed the man because leaving him alive would be a constant threat (Chapter 24).

  11. B) She thinks she will now be sold as a prostitute – Fanny's past in a Philadelphia brothel makes her believe menstruation marks her for sale (Chapter 25).

  12. To check on his Mohawk wife (Wakyo'teyehsnonhsa/Emily) and her children after a massacre – Ian feels responsible for his first wife and son (Chapters 56, 57).

  13. B) He wants to free himself from the earldom by passing the title to a child – Amaranthus proposes the scheme; William hopes to escape his title (Chapters 47, 134).

  14. Community, continuity, and the need to tell bees about life changes so they stay – Bees are treated as confidants and require blessings and news (Chapters 13, 66, 141).

  15. B) A time-traveler's healing ability – The blue light is associated with Master Raymond, Dr. McEwan, and later Claire's own healing efforts (Chapters 3, 6).

  16. Impending conflict and the unknown future of the war – The unfinished third floor represents the incomplete, dangerous state of the Ridge community as war approaches (Chapter 63).

  17. A) Jamie's acceptance that he may die in battle – He asks the bees to care for Claire if he does not return, finding peace (Chapter 141).

  18. Jamie initially feels jealousy and suspicion toward Frank, reading the book as if Frank is speaking to him. Later, he burns the book after a dream conflating Frank and Jack Randall, but he still uses the historical knowledge Frank's account provides (e.g., the date of Kings Mountain). His attitude moves from resentment to a grudging reliance on Frank's writing, even as he physically destroys it (Chapters 20, 76, 106).

  19. Both men kill to protect their families: Jamie kills Claire's rapist because he cannot leave the man alive nearby; Roger killed Boble (Stephen Bonnet) after Brianna's kidnapping. Jamie confesses to Roger, who offers spiritual absolution. Roger later confesses to Brianna and receives her forgiveness. Both acts are seen as necessary but carry moral weight, each man seeking absolution through confession (Chapter 24).

  20. Examples: (1) The New House on Fraser's Ridge becomes a permanent home with a hearth ritual, chisel blessing, and family story-time – a home built across time with gifts from the future like the Merck Manual and The Lord of the Rings (Chapter 10). (2) The diaspora of family members (Roger and Brianna to Charles Town, Ian and Jenny to Mohawk country) creates a sense of home as a place that moves with the family, sustained by letters and memories (Chapter 67). The beehives also represent home – a place that must be told of arrivals and departures to remain stable (Chapters 13, 66).

For more discussion, see the chapter-by-chapter analysis, questions and answers, or the ending explained.

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