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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. Where did David's father go the morning that David went to camp?

2. What does Charles do to cleanse his body?

3. How many people make up the search party?

4. Why did David's father leave the same morning that David went to camp?

5. What is the meaning of the alias the kidnapper has chosen?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Section 2, what is Katsuk's motivating factor for leaving the forest?

2. Describe the importance of the knife to David. Why does he get so angry about Katsuk throwing the knife in the river?

3. What is the purpose of the author including the anthropologist and his analysis of Charles?

4. Outline Katsuk's fascination with the bee. What does he believe it is? What does he believe it can do?

5. When David is first kidnapped, what does he think of the man that he calls "The Chief"?

6. Describe the fishing incident and what it says about Katsuk and David's developing relationship. What might this mean for David's future?

7. As Katsuk grows more insane with each passing day, what happens to David's spirit, attitude, and personality as a result?

8. Do you think Charles has a legitimate point about the treatment of the Native Americans, despite his poor choice of solutions?

9. Has David benefited from his kidnapping? If so, how? How might that help him in his current situation?

10. Why do you think Katsuk feels so bad about killing David after it is over? Why do you think he went through with the sacrifice in the first place?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Imagery is an important part of the story. The setting is a stunningly beautiful and impressive natural wonderland. The author is very descriptive, drawing the reader into the cold and damp, the broken and bleeding victims of a poacher, and the absolutely breathtaking scenery. Perhaps the most important of these is Section 6 where the author uses more vivid adjectives, not simply describing a sunset as "rich," but as "molten," for example. What does the more vivid imagery add to the story? What does it add to this section? Why do you think the author chooses to express himself in this manner at this point?

Essay Topic 2

Symbolism is a large component of this novel just as it is in the Native American culture. Choose three examples of symbolism from the novel. Outline what they symbolize and their importance to the story.

Essay Topic 3

Tskanay obviously feels sorry for David. She is depressed at the loss of her betrothed, Charles, and also fears him. She does not want to see him harm David, knowing that there will be no return from that. How does Tskanay try to help Katsuk? How does she try to help David? What are her motivations? Are they more for herself, Katsuk, or David? Why?

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This section contains 987 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample