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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. In what way does Quoyle benefit from Petal's death?

2. At the motel, what does Quoyle buy for his daughters?

3. In what way is a nip important to a knot?

4. When is the library open?

5. Who buys sea urchin roe?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way are Billy and Quoyle connected?

2. How important is the rhythm of their new lives for Quoyle and his family?

3. What change in Quoyle occurs following the incident of his article on the 'Hitler yacht'?

4. How does Annie Proulx utilize symbolism in the account of Billy's and Quoyle's journey back from Gaze Island?

5. What are Quoyle's expectations of marriage and how is the reality different for him?

6. Account for Quoyle's cherished hope that he was, in fact, a changeling.

7. How does the aunt account for her wish to return to Newfoundland?

8. How did the Quoyle house come to be moved to the point where it now stands?

9. In what way is the appearance of the Botterjacht ironic?

10. What insight into Jack Buggit does the harbormaster convey to Quoyle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

THE SHIPPING NEWS is a novel that successfully presents a web of sub-plots. Of the sub-plots in the novel, identify and discuss two.

1) What functions do these sub-plots perform in the novel? Do they support the main narrative stream, complement it or provide contrast?

2) Do you consider that sub-plots enrich our enjoyment of narrative texts?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the important contrasts that are represented in THE SHIPPING NEWS.

1) Focus on contrasting values and attitudes. In what ways are those in Newfoundland different from what Quoyle has left behind? Illustrate by focusing on three characters and make frequent reference to the text.

2) Consider the contrast between life in Killick-Claw and that which Partridge describes in his phone call from Los Angeles.

3) Discuss the ways in which these contrasts support the themes of the novel.

Essay Topic 3

'Someone breaking free of the past.'

1) What kind of past is Quoyle breaking fee of and how does he achieve this?

2) Consider Agnis' past and its association with Quoyle's Point. How is she able to surmount the hideous experiences of her childhood?

Discuss with close reference to the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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