Part One of 'Birdsong,' by Sebastian Faulks Quiz

Answer: England

Stephen was brought up in an institution in England. When he was old enough to work, he went into the textiles industry - the reason behind him going to France. In the city of Amiens, he stays with the Azaire family and gains experience from the head of the family, and owner of a textiles factory, René Azaire.

Despite being only twenty years of age, Stephen is fluent in French and is able to get by with ease in France.

Answer: Grégoire

Grégoire is a small ten year old, who is seen to act childishly ("swinging his legs vigorously backwards and forwards"). He does not contribute much to the storyline of Part One, unlike his sixteen year old sister Lisette, who takes a liking to Stephen.

I imagine that the character of Grégoire is included in order to create a seemingly ideal, nuclear family - which of course contrasts with the reality behind closed doors.

Answer: The water-gardens

They take a boat through the water-gardens, with Bérard giving a long and dull speech of the history of the place. The day has "unnatural heat", which increases the tension between Stephen and Isabelle, René Azaire's wife.

Stephen cannot enjoy the day out, as he sees it to be "stagnant", foreshadowing the destruction of the war to come. Of course, this place will, in four year's time, be where trenches are installed and battles fought.

Answer: Red

Throughout Part One, Isabelle Azaire (née Fourmentier) is seen to be dressed in many red items of clothing, such as a "dark red patterned waistcoat", with items of jewellery, including "a dark red stone at the throat". Her skin is also said to have a "rosy flush" and her hair is described as "strawberry". All these are reminders of her hidden passion, as her marriage with René is unfulfilled and loveless.

Answer: Pompous

Bérard is extremely pompous, bossy and likes the sound of his own voice. This is seen from his first visit, when he talks for an age and then subjects everyone to a long song, during which everyone (except his own wife) feels uncomfortable.

Answer: False

Although Lisette is nearer his age, pretty and suggestive to him, Stephen still prefers her step-mother, Isabelle, who always retains her poise and dignity, with a great deal of modesty.

Answer: Hit his children

When Azaire found out that Isabelle had taken food to the strikers and "little Lucien", he "did not believe" it, as she had always played the part of the demure, caring wife and put up with him. It was during this fight that Azaire found out about his wife and Stephen's relationship, causing them to leave the house.

Isabelle would never hit Grégoire or Lisette, having suffered from Azaire's beatings herself.

Answer: Birds

Stephen hates birds and is scared of going near them, or them coming near to him. When he lived in the institution, he went and stroked a dead crow nailed to a fence, to prove he wasn't afraid, though he was still terrified of it, as it had "maggots under its wings and drooling, milky eyes".

Isabelle deduces that birds made him think of "having to go back to that place", although Stephen claims that it was only "partly that", and that they had always looked "cruel" and "prehistoric" to him.

Answer: Isabelle

After trying for many months with her husband, Isabelle still does not manage to become pregnant, but is able to with Stephen.

She intends to tell Stephen about their child, but something makes her retain the information, as she believes that he will not be able to feel attached to his own child.

Answer: He felt himself grow cold.

Isabelle having left him and him having "no choice but to continue with what he had begun", Stephen remained alone. Feeling "cold", loveless and detached, Stephen apparently then signed up for war, as Part Two throws us directly into war.