Brisingr
by Christopher Paolini
Grades 10-12; Fantasy; Young Adult; AR pts. 45.0
Eragon upholds the oath he made to save Katrina from King Galbatorix, while being pulled in different directions by the needs of the Varden, elves, and dwarves - all of whom need his help and strength to overcome the tyranny of the king. This book contains themes more appropriately written for young adults: swearing, violence, gore, mild sexual innuendo, torture, human sacrifice and mutilation.
Comprehension Questions
The Gates of Death
- How does this story begin? Eragon and Roran are outside of Helgrind wanting to save Katrina. They see grotesque sacrifices and slaves being chained up to be sacrificed. Eragon scryes to see if Katrina is there and thinks he feels her inside p.1
Around the Campfire
- what did Roran learn about Eragon in this chapter? Eragon is immortal; he is firm with his decision to not eat meat; he loves Arya p. 25
Divergence
- why doesn’t Eragon want to find Sloan? Sloan is responsible for Katrina’s capture and Roran will want to kill him p.53
- What do you think the word Gianga means and why did Eragon want Saphira to leave him? Gianga means go or leave in the ancient language; Eragon needs to take care of Sloan and find the Ra’zac to kill it p.63
Rider and Ra’zac
- Describe Eragon’s struggle now that he had killed the Ra’zac. He was thrilled he had killed them but realized his purpose for leaving Carvahall was gone; he had nurtured his hate for the Ra’zac and with them defeated, he mourned that he couldn’t chase them anymore. Eragon realized his struggle and decided to focus on the positive and was determined not to make the same mistake once Galbatorix is defeated p.71
To Walk the Land Alone
- Do you agree with Eragon’s decision on how he punished Sloan? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.89
The Trial of the Long Knives
- Describe the Trial of the Long Knives. Each person takes a turn cutting their arm with a knife. The winner is the person who makes the most cuts p.100
Winged Tidings
- How did Nasuada and Arya respond to Saphira’s story about Eragon? Nasuada thought his reasons for staying were inadequate; Arya took off to look for Eragon p.124
Escape and Evasion
- How did Arya find Eragon? She guessed his path and listened to the birds, animals and trees to see where they had seen him p.145
A Delicate Matter
- What is the real reason Roran wants to wait to fight? He wants to marry Katrina and have Eragon perform the ceremony p.162
Bloodwolf
- Why does Nasuada worry that she will need to put a battalion around Blodhgarm? He has a smell that attracts women p.178
Mercy, Dragon Rider
- Why is Arya confused with Eragon’s behavior toward the last soldier? Eragon made the choice to kill him when Sloan he wasn’t able to p.185
Shadows of the Past
- List two things Eragon and Arya talked about during this chapter. How to handle the emotional consequences of killing someone; Arya’s experience in Gil’ead; her love and friendship with Faolin; spirits p.189
Amid the Restless Crowd
- Why doesn’t Eragon want Roran and Katrina to know that Sloan is alive? Having him in their lives will complicate their relationship. Sloan needed to be punished for killing a man from Carvahall and Katrina would be upset if he was punished or killed. Sloan doesn’t like Roran and would also always cause issues p.227
To Answer a King
- Do you agree that Eragon told Orrin and Nasuada the full truth about staying at Helgrind? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.238
A Feast With Friends
- Summarize this chapter. Eragon contemplated using Murtagh’s sword and thought against it; Nasuada organized a feast for Eragon with his friends and family; Roran asks Eragon to marry him and Katrina p.243
Intersecting Sagas
- What did Eragon find out about Tenga, the hermit? He was Angela’s mentor p.260
Making Amends
- Summarize what happened when Eragon tried to place a counterspell on Elva. The spell he used took away her urges to help people in pain, but not the pain itself. She didn’t want him to take away what she still had: she could feel other people’s fears, thoughts, weaknesses, pain to her advantage without going through pain herself. It has made her a more lethal weapon if she turns against them p.266
Gifts of Gold
- What did Eragon accomplish in this chapter? He reconciled his debts and told Joed what happened to Brom p.272
I Need a Sword!
- What is Eragon’s new weapon called? Falchion p.299
- Draw a falchion. You can use a picture from the Internet or a book.
Unexpected Guest
- What important event was interrupted and who interrupted it? Roran and Katrina’s wedding; Galbatorix’s men and Murtagh with Thorn p.307
Fire in the Sky
- What was different about the soldiers Galbatorix sent in the ships? He cast a spell so they couldn’t feel pain so it was very difficult to kill them p.337
Man and Wife
- Summarize this chapter. Eragon married Roran and Katrina; there was a wonderful celebration; Eragon and Nasuada visited the men in the healers’ tent who were injured; an injured man whose eyes turned white when his leg was struck and crushed by a missile saw in vision things about Eragon and Murtagh and things he shouldn’t know about it p.343
Whispers in the Night
- Why is Katrina thoughtful on this chapter? She doesn’t want to live in the battle camp and put her baby in danger p.357
Orders
- What is Nasuada’s plan in this chapter? To send Eragon with a Kull to the dwarf kingdom in Farthern Dur so Eragon can help speed up the process of choosing a king; Saphira will stay with the Varden and if they get attacked, Arya will fight with Saphira p.361
Footprints of Shadow
- Pick an emotion Eragon felt in this chapter and describe why he felt that way. Listen to your child’s answer; sad saying good-bye to his family and Saphira; anxious as he used the energy from dying animals to fill the gems in his belt; elated that the one Kull he respected the most joined him in his journey p.375
Over Hill and Mountain
- Describe how Eragon and Garzhvog bonded during their journey to the dwarf city. Eragon learned about Garzhvog and they faced dangers together. Eragon was sad to see him go back to the Varden p.387
For My Love
- Summarize how Roran killed the soldiers in the triangle of wagons? As Snowfire was running, Roran stood on the saddle and jumped into center of the wagons p.406
A Forest of Stone
- What agreement did Eragon and Orik make? If it looked like Orik wasn’t going to win the throne, Eragon needed to trust him to back another dwarf leader who would support the Varden p.424
The Laughing Dead
- Why is Roran’s heart heavy at the end of this chapter? His group attacked a convoy of soldiers who had a spell put on them to not feel pain, like the soldiers from the ships; only nine of the Varden remained and Martland’s hand was cut off; it was a horrendous battle p.427
Blood on the Rocks
- Summarize why Eragon feels like he needs a Rider’s sword. He just had a fight with seven dwarves and his falchion broke; he needs a true sword that won’t break and that will withstand blows from any enemy p.459
A Matter of Perspective
- Whose perspective did we hear in this chapter. Did you enjoy it? Why or why not? Saphira; listen to your child’s answer p.460
Kiss Me Sweet
- How did Katrina cheer Roran up? She reminded him that sane men do not like going to battle and killing people. True warriors go to battle because he has to p.470
Glumra
- List two ways Kvistor’s mother mourned his death. She chopped off part of her finger with a knife; she worshipped her gods; invited Eragon and his guards to stay until Orik summoned them p.476
Clanmeet
- How did the votes to win the throne get shifted to Orik? One of the clans attacked Eragon and Orik found out which one it was; he recommended the clanmeet ban the tribe and they all agreed p.496
Insubordination
- Do you agree with Roran’s decision to go against Edric’s orders? Why or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.531
- What do you predict his consequence will be? Listen to your child’s answer
Message in a Mirror
- What two things did Nasuada talk to Saphira about? A member of the Varden killed three Urgals and she is conflicted with punishing him; Eragon reached out and requested Saphira fly out to join him at Farthen Dur p.534
Four Strokes upon the Drum
- What was the outcome of the vote? Who is the new dwarf king? Orik p.545
Reunion
- Why was Saphira so tired and hiccuping for the first time? She only took one break to get to Farthen Dur and needs rest and water to drink p.549
Ascension
- Who confirmed and blessed Orik as king? Guntera the dwarf god p.556
Words of Wisdom
- How did Eragon convince Nasuada to allow him to go to Ellesmera? She realized he needed more training to defeat Galbatorix p.565
The Whipping Post
- Why do you think Captain Edric is not a Captain anymore? He is not efficient and doesn’t do a good job at leading p.576
Among the Clouds
- Why was Eragon reluctant to fly all the way to Ellesmera? Saphira was exhausted p.584
Butting Heads
- How did Roran best Yarbog in the competition? When Yarbog was running to hit Roran, Roran grabbed his horn and wrestled him to ground, pinning him down p.593
Geneology
- What shocking news did Eragon learn on this chapter? Brom is his father p.604
Two Lovers Doomed
- Summarize Oromis and Eragon’s conversation on this chapter. Brom is Eragon’s father; he fell in love with the Black Hand, and she fell in love with him; Brom didn’t know she was pregnant with Eragon until after she died; he went up to Carvahall and found Eragon and that’s why Brom stayed there p.607
Inheritance
- Explain why Brom’s memory is special to Eragon. It helped Eragon feel, hear and see Brom and helped him know Brom’s feelings for him as his son p.621
Souls of Stone
- What revelation did Oromis and Glaedr share with Eragon in this chapter? Murtagh and Galbatorix get their strength from dragons who have put their consciousnesses in their heart of hearts; it is called Eldunari p.629
Hands of a Warrior
- Do you think Eragon will visit Sloan? Why or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.642
The Tree of Life
- What is the consequence for attacking the Menoa tree? Eragon and Saphira received the brightsteel, but they offended the tree and elves at the same time. The elves may not forgive them p.660
Mind Over Metal
- Summarize this chapter? Rhunon made the sword in four hours; she didn’t want to break her oath, so she went into Eragon’s body and made it with his limbs p.668
A Rider in Full
- What did Eragon name his new sword and how did it react whenever he said its name? Brisingr; it lit on fire p.682
Greaves and Bracers
- What battle is commencing in this chapter? The Varden is attacking the city of Feinster p.686
Leave-Taking
- What sacred gift did Eragon and Saphira receive in this chapter? How will it help them? Glaedr’s Eldunari; they can communicate with Glaedr and Oromis and will have Glaedr’s energy for magic spells p.694
Flight
- What will Eragon and Saphira’s priority be in this battle? Saving Arya and another elf who are both trapped after they scaled the walls to the city p.704
Brisingr!
- How did Eragon get to use Brisingr in this chapter? He cut through the portcullis to the keep so the Varden could get through p.719
Shadow of Doom
- How was Arya able to kill the shade Varaug? Eragon distracted it via his mind and Arya killed it p.738
Sunrise
- When Eragon and Blodhgarm apologized to each other for both being foolish, what word would you use to describe this action? Why? Humility; they put aside the need to be prideful so they could work as a better team in the future p.740
- How did reading this last chapter make you feel? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer. Sad that Oromis died and that Glaedr is in the Eldunari; full of hope, excitement to see what happens p.740