66 pages • 2 hours read
The Cruel Prince
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During Reading
Reading Questions & Paired Texts
Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.
Prologue-Chapter 5
Reading Check
1. Who is responsible for the deaths of Jude’s parents?
2. Which of Cardan’s friends assists a faerie after Cardan rips its wing?
3. Who is believed to be the King’s successor in the upcoming coronation?
4. For what does Madoc refuse to allow Jude to offer herself?
Short Answer
Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.
1. What must a human do to become part of the King’s Court? What emotion does this elicit in Jude, and how does she hope to achieve a place in the Court?
2. How do the faeries of Elfhame treat Jude and Taryn? What is the cause of this treatment?
3. What comparison can be made between Vivi’s adaptation to Elfhame and her sisters’ adaptation? Speculate as to the causes of this difference.
4. Cardan is described as cruel and haughty. What evidence supports this description of Cardan?
Paired Resource
“What to Know About an Inferiority Complex”
- This Medical News Today article explains what an inferiority complex is.
- This information may be helpful in a discussion of the themes of Truth and Lying and Discovering, Negotiating, and Forming Personal Identity as a Teenager.
- Why do those who feel inferior tend to overcompensate for that inferiority? Why do Jude and Taryn feel inferior to the other residents in Elfhame? How does this inferiority drive both Taryn and Jude? What other characters potentially feel inferior?
Chapters 6-11
Reading Check
1. To whom does Vivi introduce Jude and Taryn in the mortal world?
2. Who visits Jude at her house following the tournament?
3. Which of Cardan’s friends assists Jude after she has eaten faerie fruit?
4. Where is Jude asked to go as her first assignment in service to the prince?
Short Answer
Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.
1. What incidents in Jude’s childhood contribute to the fear and helplessness she feels in Elfhame? How has Jude taken strides to overcome her fear?
2. What are the consequences of Jude’s decision to salt the food of Cardan and his friends? How does Taryn encourage Jude to react to the bullies?
3. What are the qualities Prince Dain finds valuable in Jude? What is his offer, and why is she disappointed in it?
4. Why does Jude feel it is necessary to lie to Madoc after having been enchanted and humiliated by Valerian and his friends? Why is Jude justified in her assumptions about Madoc’s reaction?
Paired Resource
- This 2-minute video explores the connection between behaviors and emotions.
- The information in this resource may contribute to discussions on the themes of Power Dynamics in a Hierarchical Society and Discovering, Negotiating, and Forming Personal Identity as a Teenager.
- How do emotions impact the way individuals respond to different situations? In what ways do our thoughts control our emotions? How do Jude’s thoughts impact her emotions? How do Jude’s emotions affect her actions?
Chapters 12-18
Reading Check
1. Who lives in Hollow Hall, surprising Jude?
2. What is the name of the underground lair of Dain’s spies?
3. How does Taryn intend to gain entry to the faerie Court as a human?
4. What does Jude find in the pocket of Locke’s mother’s gown?
Short Answer
Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.
1. When and why does Jude feel sympathy for Cardan? What insights might this incident provide for Cardan’s character?
2. What is the purpose of Locke’s visit to Madoc’s house?
3. What is particularly grueling about Jude’s schedule?
4. Why is it significant that Jude murders Valerian? What might it indicate about her capabilities?
Paired Resource
“Overcompensation and Defense Mechanisms”
- This article describes the tendency of individuals to overcompensate as a defense mechanism.
- Students may reference this information in discussions on the themes of Power Dynamics in a Hierarchical Society and Discovering, Negotiating, and Forming Personal Identity as a Teenager.
- What is overcompensation? When do individuals feel the need to overcompensate? How do Jude and Taryn attempt to overcompensate for the difficulties in Faerie?
Chapters 19-24
Reading Check
1. What does Madoc give to Jude prior to the coronation ceremony?
2. Who kills one of Balekin’s sisters when she attempts to bequeath him the crown?
3. Whom does Jude discover disguised following the disastrous coronation?
4. What does Jude find on Oriana’s vanity?
Short Answer
Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.
1. What is unusual about Locke’s questions at the ball, and what is revealed to be the reason for these questions?
2. Who does Jude believe to be responsible for the coup to take the crown, and what clues contribute to her conclusion?
3. Aside from the betrayal Jude feels at Locke’s proposal to Taryn, what other emotions arise when she understands the extent of Taryn and Locke’s relationship?
4. What does Jude suspect is Madoc’s motivation for betraying Dain?
Paired Resource
“How Could You Do This to Me? When Characters Betray Other Characters”
- This article explores the potential motivations for betrayal in stories. (teacher-appropriate; not student-facing)
- The information in this article connects with the themes of Truth and Lying and Power Dynamics in a Hierarchical Society.
- The numbered list of motivating factors might be helpful in a class discussion on instances of betrayal that occur in The Cruel Prince.
Chapter 25-Epilogue
Reading Check
1. What does Cardan gain by binding himself to Jude’s service for a year and a day?
2. Where does Jude intend for Oak to live while she remains in Faerie?
3. What does Jude slip into Madoc’s drink?
4. Who does Jude determine should become king until Oak is old enough to rule?
Short Answer
Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.
1. What are Cardan’s character attributes, and how do they aid him while he is held captive by the Court of Shadows?
2. Why does Jude’s perception of Cardan begin to change? What does Cardan claim is his reason for mistreating Jude?
3. Why does Jude want to prevent Oak’s ascension to the throne? What sacrifices is she willing to make to ensure Oak’s well-being?
4. In what way does Jude trick Cardan, and how might it impact their already tenuous relationship?
Recommended Next Reads
The Wicked King by Holly Black
- In the sequel to Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince, Jude struggles to maintain control over the feckless Cardan as the Court continues to lose faith in his ability to reign over Elfhame.
- Shared themes include Power Dynamics in a Hierarchical Society; Truth and Lying; and Discovering, Negotiating, and Forming Personal Identity as a Teenager.
- Shared topics include navigating politics, social divisions, and betrayal.
- The Wicked King on SuperSummary
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
- This novel is about a 17-year-old girl in a world with a large class divide between those with silver blood and those with red blood.
- Shared themes include Power Dynamics in a Hierarchical Society; Discovering, Negotiating, and Forming Personal Identity as a Teenager; and Truth and Lying.
- Shared topics include navigating politics, social divisions, and betrayal.
- Red Queen on SuperSummary
Reading Questions Answer Key
Prologue-Chapter 5
Reading Check
1. Madoc (Prologue)
2. Locke (Chapter 3)
3. Prince Dain Greenbriar (Chapter 5)
4. Knighthood (Chapter 5)
Short Answer
1. To become a member of King Eldred’s Court, a human must either possess a valuable skill or marry a member of the Court. Jude, desperate to become a member of the Court, strives to prove herself by becoming a knight. (Chapters 1, 4)
2. Jude and Taryn are treated as outcasts in the Court because they are human. The differences between humans and faeries are further highlighted by the activities Jude and Taryn must refrain from or do to keep from becoming ensorcelled. For example, Jude and Taryn must salt their food and are not permitted to dance without close supervision or drink faerie wine. The two are further ostracized by Cardan and his friends, who taunt the girls. (Chapters 1-2)
3. Vivi has not adapted well to Elfhame, though she is part faerie. Vivi hoards items from the human world and dislikes her father. Jude and Taryn have adapted well to Elfhame and intend to become part of the King’s Court. (Chapters 1, 5)
4. Cardan is first observed ripping the wing of a faerie that refused to bow to him. Later, Cardan taunts Jude and Taryn and attempts to bully Jude into relinquishing her participation in the tournament. (Chapters 3-5)
Chapters 6-11
Reading Check
Short Answer
1. In addition to Madoc slaying Jude’s parents and taking her to Elfhame, Jude’s earliest memory is of a guard of Madoc’s who bites off the tip of her finger. On a separate occasion, a faerie gave her faerie wine and made her dance, something mortals cannot stop doing once they start in Faerie. Jude’s young stepbrother, Oak, uses magic on Jude, forcing her to hit herself against her will. These incidents contribute to the fear and helplessness Jude feels early on in Faerie. Jude is determined to protect herself by becoming a valuable knight. (Chapter 6)
2. As retaliation for salting their food, Cardan and his friends throw Jude and Taryn into the river, where nixies pose a threat to the lives of the girls. Cardan and his friends taunt the girls and force a wedge between the twins as they convince Taryn to abandon Jude in favor of her own safety. Taryn is forced to promise the crew that she will not side with Jude in any of their arguments. Cardan again warns Jude not to enter the tournament. Taryn attempts to convince Jude to let the bullies win rather than exacerbate the tensions between the two groups. (Chapter 7)
3. Prince Dain is most interested in Jude’s ability to lie and wishes her to be a spy for his Court. Jude, who has her heart set on being a knight, is disappointed in the offer but agrees to join his spies in exchange for resistance to magic. (Chapter 10)
4. Jude returns home after having been forcibly enchanted by faerie fruit. Madoc, angry at Jude’s treatment, attempts to compel her to reveal the culprits behind the prank. Jude refuses to tell Madoc the truth about what happened because she believes he will kill those involved in the prank. Jude is justified in her concern about Madoc’s reaction because he rashly killed her mother and father and, as a red cap for the faerie army, believes he has a reputation to uphold. (Chapter 11)
Chapters 12-18
Reading Check
1. Cardan (Chapter 12)
2. The Court of Shadows (Chapter 13)
3. Marriage (Chapter 14)
4. A golden acorn (Chapter 16)
Short Answer
1. Balekin challenges Cardan to a sword-fighting match, goading and humiliating Cardan by emphasizing his lackluster skill at swordsmanship. Jude, secretly privy to the interaction, feels pity for Cardan, who is physically beaten by his older brother. The interaction may provide some insight into Cardan’s cruelty as well as his desire for Jude, seen as an inferior human in Faerie, to withdraw from the tournament. Her withdrawing may prevent Cardan from becoming an object of mockery in being bested by a human—though Cardan indicates that his brother likely would have beaten him regardless of his skill. (Chapter 12)
2. Jude discovers that Locke is visiting her family when she returns from meeting with the other spies. Locke has come to Madoc’s house presumably to visit Jude and to convince her and Taryn to return to school despite the bullying. (Chapter 14)
3. Jude, having agreed to become Dain’s spy, learns spycraft while her family is sleeping, trains her body to become immune to poisons, and attends school with Taryn. Additionally, after the faerie fruit attack, Jude trains in weaponry and warfare strategy with Madoc to defend herself against Valerian and his friends. (Chapters 11, 15)
4. Jude is told by Madoc in Chapter 5 that she is not a killer, which, on the surface, serves as Madoc’s reluctance to permit Jude to become a knight. The fact that Jude easily kills Valerian when he attacks her serves as an important sign that she is capable of the duties required of a knight. Jude feels triumphant in exceeding Madoc’s expectations of her. (Chapter 18)
Chapters 19-24
Reading Check
1. A sword (Chapter 19)
2. The Ghost (Chapter 20)
3. Cardan (Chapter 22)
4. A golden acorn (Chapter 24)
Short Answer
1. Locke appears to test Jude’s attachment to him by asking her what she would do to keep him and how she would respond if he betrayed her. It is revealed after the coronation that Locke intends to marry Taryn and used Jude to create a story. (Chapters 20, 23)
2. The responsible parties for the coup to take the crown include Balekin, who openly murders his family members in front of the Court to obtain it, and Madoc. Jude discovers Madoc is responsible when her family, who is separated from her in the crowd, is ushered away before Balekin begins murdering his family. Jude also notes that the soldiers who are part of Madoc’s army permit violence against the royal family. Madoc confirms Jude’s suspicions that he is a traitor when he kills Dain. (Chapter 20)
3. Jude realizes that Cardan was also aware of Locke and Taryn’s ruse and suspects they all must have been laughing at her expense. Aside from anger and betrayal, Jude feels embarrassment at potentially being an object of ridicule. This incident is also connected to Jude’s feeling of weakness and helplessness in Elfhame as Taryn claims Jude didn’t like Locke but is angry because her own weakness is reflected in Taryn. (Chapter 23)
4. Jude discovers an identical golden acorn on Oriana’s vanity, which causes her to draw the connection between Locke’s mother and Oak. Jude understands that Oak is Liriope and Dain’s son whom Dain tried to kill. Jude suspects Madoc betrayed Dain because he intends to place Oak on the throne. (Chapter 24)
Chapter 25-Epilogue
Reading Check
1. Hollow Hall (Chapter 26)
2. The mortal world (Chapter 28)
3. Poison (Chapter 29)
4. Cardan (Chapter 30)
Short Answer
1. Cardan, while he is a prisoner in the Court of Shadows, convinces the spies to untie him in exchange for wine and jewels in the palace. Cardan’s charm permits him to easily make friends with the spies. (Chapter 25)
2. Jude privately interrogates Cardan, questioning him about the relationship between Taryn and Locke. Cardan explains that he tried to protect Jude on several occasions and encouraged Taryn to do the same. Jude also learns that, despite Cardan’s apparent cruelty, he is not violent. Cardan admits his mistreatment of Jude stems from his jealousy of her treatment by Madoc and his disgust at his own attraction to her. (Chapter 25)
3. Jude believes if Oak ascends to the throne at a young age, he will be used by Madoc to gain power and likely become as bloodthirsty as Madoc. She hopes in delaying Oak from becoming king and allowing him to live for a time in the human world, he will be sympathetic to the plight of humans. Jude also finds it tempting to have a brother on the throne of Elfhame because it will provide her with protection and a knighthood. (Chapter 26)
4. Jude forms a magical bond with Cardan in which he must do as she says for one year and a day. The bond permits Jude to force Cardan to take the crown of Elfhame in Oak’s stead. Cardan initially believed Jude intended to place Oak on the throne with Cardan’s help to crown him. Cardan looks at Jude with rage following her deception, and Jude anticipates his retaliation in the future, possibly causing permanent damage to their relationship. (Chapter 30-Epilogue)
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