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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. Who goes before the bride into the Wedding hall?

2. The water is compared to what mystical substance?

3. On what side of the ship does the Sun now set?

4. Where does the Guest sit?

5. After reaching the Line, in what direction does the Ship go?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. Why is it important for man to remain objective in his studies of the two Natures?

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

4. Why is the human mind "always circled around a knowledge of these things" but never attains such knowledge?

5. Why are the notes important to the poem?

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

7. 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?

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

9. What is meant, in the third part, by, "at a dear ransom he freeth his speech from the bonds of thirst"? Why is this important?

10. Why do you think that the character listening to the Mariner is a wedding guest?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on the role of the natural world in the poem. Analyze how it is used by characters and forces, why it is significant, in what ways it is important to the advancement of the story, how it is abused, and in what ways it is essential to the story.

Essay Topic 2

Religion is an important theme in the story. Analyze its presence and influence on the characters and actions throughout the poem. Be sure to include the importance of prayer, the cross, the kirk, and the Hermit.

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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