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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 Mattie discover the works of Emily Baxter actually celebrate?

2. How old is Mattie in the beginning of the novel?

3. What’s the name of the boat that is dragging the lake in the beginning of the novel?

4. When Mattie asks Aunt Josie for financial help for college, Aunt Josie tells Mattie she’s as selfish as whom?

5. How many children does Emmie Hubbard have?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Aunt Josie’s reply when Mattie asks her for financial assistance in Chapter 8?

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

3. What promise does Uncle Fifty make to Mattie after he arrives? What gifts does he give to the Gokey children?

4. Where does Mattie shop for books and other items in Chapter 6? What does she find here?

5. What clue does Mattie discover in Grace Brown’s letters in Chapter 13? What does she do with this information?

6. What conflicts regarding the expected roles of women are introduced in Chapter 1?

7. What book does Miss Wilcox give to Mattie in Chapter 15? What are Mattie’s impressions of the book?

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

9. How is the narrative of A Northern Light structured? What are the two timelines that occur in the story?

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

Describe and discuss the character of Royal Loomis in the novel. What is Grace’s relationship with Royal? How long have they had this relationship? How does the relationship evolve in the course of the narrative?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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