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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 the Mariner see in the moonlight?

2. From where is the Ship followed?

3. In what direction does the ship initially sail?

4. What two Natures does Thomas Burnet say there are?

5. What is the "Line"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is it important that the notes make it clear that Life-in-Death wins the Mariner in her game of dice with Death?

2. What is significant about the Albatross being mentioned explicitly as a bird of good omen in the notes, and not in the Mariner's relation of the tale?

3. What is meant by "Life-in-Death begins her work on the Mariner?" What is her work?

4. What seems to be significant about the Guest's compulsion to listen to the Mariner's story?

5. Why does the Albatross hang around the neck of the Mariner?

6. Who is responsible for the becalming of the Ship, and how is this known?

7. For what reasons are there differences between the text of the poem and the text of the notes, such as Life-in-Death only being referenced as the "Spectre-Woman" in the notes?

8. Describe Thomas Burnet's overall attitude towards the invisible Nature.

9. What is significant about the lengthy explanation of invisible Spirits towards the end of Part II?

10. Is the crew superstitious? If so, give two examples.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Personification of inanimate objects is a device used consistently throughout the poem. Explain the significance of the major personifications in the poem (the Sun, the Moon, Death, the Ocean). How does personifying these elements impact the story and the main theme of the story (visible and invisible Natures)?

Essay Topic 2

The Line, the name used for the equator in the poem, is a location where many events of significance occur in the poem. Examine these events and analyze the particular importance of them occurring at the world's equator. In particular, analyze how the Line acts as a physical nexus for all kinds of action, natural and supernatural.

Essay Topic 3

Present a coherent analysis of the character of Wedding-Guest. Important things to consider include:

1) His unwillingness to listen but compulsion to do so;

2) His fearful interruptions;

3) His actions at the end of the story (not attending the wedding);

4) Waking up the following morning "sadder and wiser."

(see the answer keys)

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