Essay Questions

Describe the change in Alda’s character.

Alda after she was taken from Britain to Rome as a prisoner of war, significant changes in her character have been brought out by the author of the novel. These changes include her hating Susanna to later becoming friends with her, changing her religion, submitting into slavery, and treating other people with respect and kindness.

Alda’s transformation in character came as her strong proud spirit broke in her time of slavery. She was unkind to Susanna who was a fellow slave and later she came to befriend her and share in her pain. Susanna was the only slave that was kind to Susanna yet Alda was cold and mean to her but she gradually thawed and they became good friends. In her friendship with Susanna, Alda changed her religion from being a follower of the druids to being a Christian in her friendship with Susanna.

What are the effects of war as illustrated in the novel, 'Alda the British Captive'?

The novel is set when the Roman Empire was engaged in war with Britain. The Romans won the war in the leadership of the General Paulinus. The effects of war that are illuminated in the novel include the death of those involved in the war, imprisonment of those taken as prisoners of war and separation of families.

During the war, some of the soldiers that were involved died in combat. They include the sons of Prince Aldogern and the prince himself because he succumbed to his wounds after he was brought to Rome. Alda who was a British princes was taken as prisoner of war and enslaved in the house of Marcus Lelius. This enslavement made her be separated from her family and her country. Susanna who was also enslaved had been separated from her family in Jerusalem.