2. Though the weather is still cold in "March 16," the author can see the tracks and furrows of many animals. What does he search for as the sun comes out?

3. The author has become rather sick of celebrating __________________ in the traditional American way.

4. Why might the squirrels be biting down into the bark?

5. When the author and his friend get to the stream, can any fish be found?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author spend Christmas? How does he feel about this? How does this experience compare to his other experiences throughout this book?

2. Describe the snow storm. How does it affect the author?

3. How does the book come to an end? After a year of living in the woods, how does the author feel about his life there? Why?

4. What experiment does the author perform with the squirrels? Why?

5. What does the author notice about the squirrels in "March 20-21"? What are your thoughts regarding the squirrels' behavior?

6. How does the author feel about celebrating Christmas? Why might he feel this way?

7. How do Stuart's classmates respond to his father? How important might their reactions be to how he perceives his father? Why?

8. What does the author learn from this dissection? How is this important to him?

9. Describe the metamorphosis taking place in the Maine woods. How might the author feel about this?

10. Describe the author's smelting trip with Bill. Do you agree with their conclusion? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author gets close to several animals.

Part 1) Describe these encounters. How does the author feel about these encounters? Why does he feel this way? What does this reveal about him?

Part 2) How else does the author grow closer to nature? Why? How might this affect him after he leaves the cabin?

Part 3) Why might it be important for all people to get more in touch with nature? How could this affect our communities and our planet as a whole?

Essay Topic 2

Stuart, the author's son, visits him several times at the cabin.

Part 1) Describe their visits together. What do these visits reveal about each of them? What do they reveal about their relationship? Do you believe the author spends enough time with his son? Is this a healthy relationship between a parent and a child? Why or why not?

Part 2) How would you feel if your parents divorced and one of them left to live in another state? How might this affect you and your relationship with your parents?

Part 3) What are your thoughts on divorce and the actions of parents regarding their children? Can children of divorce lead healthy lives? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

At several times throughout the book the author describes and discusses the history of the land.

Part 1) Describe this history. Why does the author tell his readers about the history of the people of Maine, as well as the geological history of the area? Is this important information for the story? Why or why not? How is this information connected to other aspects of the story?

Part 2) What else does the author study during his time in the Maine woods? Why does he study this? How is this study, as a whole, an important part of the author's time in the Maine woods?

Part 3) How is studying a part of your everyday life? How does this affect you? How can you benefit from studying? How can people, in general, benefit from studying?

(see the answer keys)

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