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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 Marina realize about Alan Saturn's work and the Lakashi?

2. Where does Marina go with Alan and Nancy Saturn?

3. What does Swenson want of Marina?

4. How is the crew of the boat greeted?

5. What is one thing in Easter's small storage box?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Swenson say Dr. Rapp would react to a ill or injured tribal member?

2. What does Marina do in her spare time?

3. Who are on the boat going to the trading post?

4. What shocks Marina one day as the boat from Manaus arrives, and how does she feel about it?

5. What does Swenson do immediately upon arriving and who helps Marina?

6. Why does Marina go into the jungle every day and what does she wonder about her doing so?

7. What is Swenson's philosophy about intervention in the lives of the tribes?

8. What is the situation with Swenson's pregnancy?

9. Who does Marina meet at the docks the next morning and where does he take her?

10. What does Marina find in her quarters?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in State of Wonder. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Patchett chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Patchett chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Patchett's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Patchett use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Ann Patchett.

2. What in Patchett's background may have helped him in writing State of Wonder? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think State of Wonder is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,066 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample