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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. After Henry leaves out milk and causes it to explode, it comes to light that he was never really what?

2. Weaver Smith’s ancestors were slaves where?

3. What is the name of the dog that Mattie is paid to feed and walk at the Glenmore?

4. What is the name of Miss Wilcox’s estranged husband who appears in Chapter 17?

5. Royal Loomis and who come to Mattie’s aid in tending her family’s farm in Chapter 25?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Mattie’s principle concerns about her relationship with Royal in Chapter 18? What does Tommy Hubbard relate to Mattie in this chapter?

2. What does Mattie discover at the home of Emmie Hubbard in Chapter 18?

3. How do Mattie and her coworkers elicit revenge on Mr. Maxwell in Chapter 31?

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

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

6. What work has Mattie begun doing for Miss Wilcox in Chapter 17? What does she discover when she arrives?

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

8. How is the theme of appearances versus reality manifested in A Northern Light?

9. How does the relationship between Mattie and Royal Loomis progress in Chapter 25?

10. How does Mattie’s relationship with Royal Loomis progress in Chapter 18? How does this relate to Grace Brown’s story?

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

Examine the theme of duty and obligation as seen in A Northern Light. How are Mattie’s duties to her family at odds with her desires to become a writer? When in your experience have you had to choose between duty and desire? What do you think Mattie should choose? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Mattie’s relationship with Miss Wilcox and Miss Wilcox’s response when Mattie informs her of her plans to marry Royal Loomis. Why do you think Miss Wilcox is disappointed? How does Mattie’s situation reflect on her own?

(see the answer keys)

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