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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. While reading the works of Emily Dickinson in Chapter 23, Mattie considers whether what is incompatible with being a writer?

2. While reading Emily Dickinson in the beginning of Chapter 23, Mattie realizes that all the authors she admires are what?

3. Excerpts from what historical documents are included in A Northern Light?

4. Weaver confronts Mattie in Chapter 30 of her need to face the truth regarding what?

5. What does Weaver Smith hope to be one day?

Short Essay Questions

1. What leads Mattie to leave the Glenmore Hotel and go home for a week in Chapter 25?

2. How do the events in Chapters 20-22 affect Mattie’s perception of the world around her?

3. What news does Pa bring to Mattie regarding Weaver Smith’s family in Chapter 32?

4. What does Miss Wilcox send to Mattie in Chapter 27? What news does she relate in her letter?

5. How is the character of Mr. Maxwell introduced in Chapter 20? What are Mattie’s impressions of this character?

6. How does Mattie’s visit to Minnie affect her perceptions of family and marriage in Chapter 23?

7. What does Mattie learn about Royal Loomis’s involvement in the foreclosure of Emmie Hubbard’s home in Chapter 29?

8. How are the themes of duty and responsibility illustrated in Chapters 23-26?

9. What event leads to Mattie’s employment at the Glenmore Hotel? How?

10. What does Mattie discover through Grace Brown’s letters in Chapter 19? What are her thoughts on this discovery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss Mattie’s indecision about the proposition of marriage to Royal Loomis. What to Mattie would be the benefits of marrying Royal? What would be the disadvantages? How do you think you’d feel if you were in Mattie’s position?

(see the answer keys)

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