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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. When asked which lighthouse she had climbed, Una answered ______.

2. In chapter 54, the Albatross meets up with which boat?

3. In chapter 12, Agatha and Jonathan take the girls to see which city?

4. What illness strikes the little girl?

5. Who is nicknamed "Little King Post?"

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Una after the Sussex sinks?

2. Una continues to be troubled by her relationship with Kit. Explain Una wandering around in the dark.

3. Discuss Una's relationships with Giles and Kit. How does Una feel about the men?

4. Una and Kit discuss the steps they took in order to stay alive while out at sea. What does the pair discuss?

5. Una decides to dress up as a cabin boy so that she can go out to sea with Kit and Giles. Examine Una's plan. Who does Una meet on the ship?

6. Describe Una's childhood and introduction to the sea.

7. Ahab deals with Kit after his bout of dementia. What does Ahab do to try to keep Kit under control?

8. What activity does Una take up with Sallie Swain? What is the metaphor used by Una to describe her relationship with Kit and Giles?

9. Who are Kit and Giles? How do they meet Una? What brings them to Nantucket?

10. Explain some of the issues faced by the Sussex in the storms.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Naslund does not tell the story in chronological order, which may or may not confuse the issue regarding Una's relationship with Ahab and the birth of Justice. Discuss the purpose of this technique. Was Naslund intent on filling in the back story or was there another purpose to using this method? Was the technique effective? Explain. Rewrite one of the passages keeping the story in chronological order to make the story line clear.

Essay Topic 2

Write your own seafaring tale based on "Ahab's Wife, or, the Star-gazer: A Novel" by Sena Jeter Naslund. Use Una or Ahab as the lead character. Supply complete storyboards. Include character information, plot, synopsis, etc. Explain your inspiration.

Essay Topic 3

Assuming a psychiatrist's point of view, analyze the situation with Kit. Discuss Kit's history and how it might affect possible psychiatric care. What would a psychiatrist say about Kit's mental breakdown? What might a doctor say about Kit's attachment to Giles? Was Kit suffering from dementia, mental illness or something else? What would the terminology be from a psychiatrist's point of view? What kind of treatment might Kit have benefited from before the situation got out of hand? Is the behavior something that can be "cured?" If so, how? If not, what else can be done?

(see the answer keys)

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