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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 Dillard suggest spring is about?
2. In Chapter 5 Dillard writes about finding a snake. What appeared peculiar about the snake?
3. What did the animal in question #1 often leave on Dillard's nightgown?
4. Dillard sees so much in the natural world which seems paradoxical. Why?
5. In addition to form and texture, what does the author believe influences beauty?
Short Essay Questions
1. Why do you think this chapter could have been titled "Potential?"
2. 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?
3. What story does Dillard tell about a Native American woman and winter?
4. How does Dillard tie in Moses with her observations at Tinker Creek?
5. How does Dillard relate the plankton to the Eskimo learning about Christianity and to herself?
6. What does Dillard say about the trauma of people blind since birth who get their sight?
7. The Pilgrim at Tinker Creek is, on the surface, a stream of consciousness journey through the natural world around Tinker Creek. What does "stream of consciousness" writing entail? In your answer address plot, characterization and theme.
8. 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?
9. How does Dillard feel about "shadows?" What does she write to show those feelings?
10. What does Dillard conclude when she attempts to "view" creation from the standpoint of God?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
In the final chapter of the book, the reader can see that in attempting to understand the natural world, the author is attempting to understand its creator. How does Dillard blend her observations of the natural world with what becomes of her beliefs in a creator? Use some of her writing to illustrate your ideas.
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
In this first section of chapter ten, which is titled "Fecundity," Dillard ponders the difference between the excess of plants versus that of animals. Throughout the book she has discussed various ways in which some creatures procreate. She also writes about human reaction to the proliferation of plants versus animals, especially insects. Discuss at least three of the animals Dillard has mentioned and their reproductive methods. Why do you think humans would find overwhelming plant reproduction less repugnant than animal reproduction?
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This section contains 1,237 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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