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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. What does the author say the future is?
2. In Chapter 5 Dillard writes about finding a snake. What appeared peculiar about the snake?
3. Why does the author think nature experiments with insects' shape, form and "niche?"
4. How were Starlings are introduced to America from Europe?
5. What does Dillard say hinders people from experiencing the now?
Short Essay Questions
1. Up to now Dillard has tried to just "notice" creation. In Chapter 8, Section 2, her focus changes. How does her focus change and what might it symbolize?
2. What physics concept does Dillard use to write about observing muskrats? How does she use it?
3. Dillard spends the entire chapter dealing with the passing of a hurricane. How does the theme of "floods" relate to other parts of the book?
4. Chapter One is titled, "Heaven and Earth in Jest." Why do you think this was the title chosen for this first chapter?
5. Dillard discusses the concept of the world as being "old and ragged." How does she relate that to the natural world and her own life?
6. Dillard uses stories from the pre-modern Eskimo culture throughout this book. Why do you think she connects so strongly with this culture?
7. This book alternately uplifts and depresses the sensitive reader. What did you find uplifting about the first chapter? Depressing?
8. Dillard watches a mosquito feed on a copperhead snake. What does she think of the act?
9. Why do you think the story about the coot might be significant?
10. In Chapter 12, Dillard observes the world at night. Considering the grasshoppers leads her into thoughts of locusts. How did early people see locusts, and where does Dillard's thoughts on them lead?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Chapter One is title, "Heaven and Earth in Jest." What do you think Dillard meant by this title? What might be the jest? Does it seem true to you?
Essay Topic 2
In the first part of chapter eight, the author goes into great detail about many phenomena of the natural world. Write about some of the details she has written. How has her writing changed in this chapter to reflect the theme of the intricacy of nature?
Essay Topic 3
Dillard often uses stories from the Eskimo culture to help her pull meaning from her observations. Discuss two of the stories Dillard has told from the Eskimo culture and their relevance to some knowledge she was trying to work through.
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This section contains 1,263 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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