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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 happens to Henry after he causes the milk to explode at the Glenmore?

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

3. Who is responsible for the robbing of Aleeta Smith?

4. Why did Royal supposedly inform against Emmie Hubbard’s back-taxes in Chapter 29?

5. How much money does Miss Wilcox send to Mattie with the book in Chapter 27?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What information does Martha Miller present to Mattie regarding her engagement to Royal Loomis in Chapter 29?

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

4. How does Mattie begin to equate Weaver Smith’s situation to that of Grace Brown in Chapter 33?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the theme of social oppression in the novel as seen through the characters of Minnie, Weaver, and Mattie. In what ways are each of these characters limited in their power due to societal expectations of their race, gender, economic situation, or other uncontrollable factors?

Essay Topic 2

The narrative of A Northern Light rotates between two different timelines. Discuss the linear structure of the plot and the author’s reasons for developing the plot in this way. How do the events in the two timelines relate to one another? How does the author develop tension using this narrative style?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the themes of courtship and marriage in the novel. During the time period in which the story is set, how important were the rituals of courtship and marriage? At what age were young men and women typically married? How atypical was it for young women to attend college instead of marrying?

(see the answer keys)

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