The Return of Martin Guerre takes place during the early 1550's.  A young
        peasant (Martin Guerre) leaves his wife (Bertrande de Rols) and child to seek
        adventure in Spain as a mercenary soldier.  After about nine years, a man
        claiming to be Martin Guerre (Arnaud de Tihl) comes to the village to "reclaim"
        his wife, and his inheritance.  He is accepted by Bertrande and the Guerre family.
        As time passes, Arnaud and Bertrande have a child together.  But Arnaud has
        a quarrel with the head of the Guerre family, Pierre over the Guerre lands.  In
        the midst of this dispute, an army veteran who fought with the real Martin,
        exposes Arnaud as an imposter, claiming that the real Martin Guerre lost a leg
        during the battle at Saint Quentin (in 1557).  The Guerre family is severely split
        over the question of Arnaud's real identity.  A trial ensues, the parliament of
        Toulouse hearing the case.  As Judge Coras hears the arguments of both sides
        of the case, a man with a wooden leg appears, claiming that he is the real
        Martin Guerre.  The judges are forced to decide which is the real Martin Guerre,
        while sending the imposter to his death by means of execution.

         1)  Why did Martin Guere abandon his family when he left Argitat?

         2)  What was Martin Guerre doing in the nine years he was away in his "new" life?

         3)  How did Bertrande deal with her abandonment by her husband?

         4)  Describe Arnaud du Tihl.  What was his background, and why did he take on
              the identity of Martin Guerre?

         5)  a. In what sense was the marriage of Bertrande and Arnaud an invented one?

             b. What does Bertrande mean when she says," And all the pain that I've known
                  turns to dust, blown by the wind!  And all I know is that love like this is love
                  that never dies!  All I need is time to know that this is real and let it grow!
                  And all I see is that all I'll ever love is in your eyes!  And all I know is a touch
                  of love that changes all I know." ?

         6)  Why did Bertrande go along with Arnaud in the charade?  What role did the
              Protestant Reformation play in this decision?  How might Bertrande and the
              "new" Martin have been influenced by Protestant thinking?

        7)  Arnaud says, " Do you understand me?  I am looking for a wife who hasn't
             seen her husband for all her married life.  I'm asking for your help, you must
             be quite a connoisseur if you know someone as beautiful as her!

        8)  What was the outcome of Arnaud's trial?  How did it impact Bertrande?  On
             Martin Guerre?  On the chronicler of the story, Jean de Coras?

        9)  Based on what you learned from the story, what might you speculate about
             the future for Martin and Bertrande following the trial?  Explain your logic
             clearly and in some detail.

      10)  The story brings to light rather interesting problems regarding imposture,
             identification, gender roles, and religious beliefs of the sisteenth century.
             Select one of these issues and explain how the story deals with the topic.

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