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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where was the historical figure of Chester Gillette born?

2. What does Mattie impulsively spend most of her money on at the grocery store/lending library in Eagle Bay?

3. What movement is the writer Emily Baxter associated with in the novel?

4. What is the real name of the character called “Cook” in the novel?

5. The letter that Aunt Josie intercepts from the postmistress in Chapter 14 informs the addressee that she has failed to do what?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the character of Weaver Smith described when he is introduced in Chapter 2?

2. How is the character of Royal Loomis described in the novel? How is his relationship with Mattie characterized?

3. How is the character of Aunt Josie depicted in the novel? What are Aunt Josie’s principle concerns?

4. Why does Mattie ask her Aunt Josie for financial help in Chapter 8?

5. How does Mattie feel about her involvement in the crisis that occurs in the opening of the novel?

6. What exchange takes place between Pa and Miss Wilcox in Chapter 12? What repercussions does this have for Mattie?

7. How is the character of Grace Brown depicted in the novel? What is the historical truth of this character?

8. What is the crisis that occurs in the opening of A Northern Light? How does this crisis involve the protagonist of the novel?

9. How is Minnie Compeau’s character described in Chapter 2?

10. Why has Uncle Fifty left in Chapter 12? How does his departure affect Mattie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the theme of duty and obligation as seen in A Northern Light. How are Mattie’s duties to her family at odds with her desires to become a writer? When in your experience have you had to choose between duty and desire? What do you think Mattie should choose? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of identity in the novel. In what ways does Mattie struggle to define her identity in the story? How do Weaver and Minnie relate to the theme of identity? What symbolism represents this theme?

Essay Topic 3

Nonfictional and Fictional Elements

a. Discuss the nonfictional elements presented in A Northern Light. How accurate is the author’s depictions of these events? What sources did the author use in writing the novel?

b. How does the author effectively integrate the nonfictional elements of the novel with the fictional elements? Are you drawn to Mattie’s story more or to the story of Grace Brown? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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