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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. Who is a guest at the meeting the next evening?

2. Una visits the ____ twice a day.

3. Who discusses investments with Una?

4. The Pequod sails on which holiday?

5. What is the name of the ship that arrives with tales of Ahab?

Short Essay Questions

1. Judge Austin Lord invites Una and Justice to stay at his house. What transpires between the judge and Una?

2. There is a dinner party at the judge's house. Why does the judge throw a party? What other event does the group attend?

3. What tragedy befalls Nantucket? How does it change things? What are some of the steps people take to rebuild?

4. Frannie's life changes a great deal during this time. What happens to Frannie? What major career move does Frannie make?

5. Who is Elijah? What news does he deliver to Justice? What happens to Elijah?

6. What suggestion does Mary Starbuck make to Una? What is Una's response? What is Una's next step?

7. What great tragedies befall Una in chapter ninety-one? Who is on hand to help Una?

8. Discuss Una's fear regarding Justice and Jim.

9. Chapter 134 presents letters to Una from Margaret Fuller. Who is Margaret Fuller? Where is she located?

10. In chapter 133, Mary and Una try to recover from their grief. Describe at least one of the activities the group does to make themselves feel better.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Naslund's use of Nantucket for the setting in "Ahab's Wife, or, the Star-gazer: A Novel". Why do you think Naslund chose Nantucket? How accurate do you think the setting is in regards to the real location? What areas are most commonly referenced in the story? What other location might have worked as well, if not better, than Nantucket? What is unique about the setting? What regionalisms are exhibited by Una and the rest of the characters? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Write a short story from the point of Una regarding her first meeting with Ahab. How did the pair become friends and eventually lovers? Does the couple have anything in common at all? If so, what? How does Una adjust her life in regards to Ahab's work and long periods away at sea? How has the life of each character changed since they met?

Essay Topic 3

Una married twice during the course of the story. When it was learned that Judge Lord wanted to marry Una, she realized that she was content being unmarried. Later Una met Ishmael and the pair lived together and had a child. Discuss in detail Una's multiple and somewhat complicated relationships. Was it common for a person to go from one marriage to the next? What might have happened if Kit had returned from out West? Do you think Una would have taken him back? Do you think Kit and Charlotte got married? Why do you think Una and Ishmael never married?

(see the answer keys)

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