Why was story-telling resorted to rather than reading? Who was Dame Warren? THE FATHER. Whom do you think they would look to for the first tale? Where had their father lived when a young man? Where is Memphremagog? What is a moose and samp? Tell of several things he enjoyed as a young man. Where is St. Francois? Salisbury? Did he help with the harvesting? Did he fish, and what fish did they catch? Had he experiences living near the shore? Where is Boar's Head? Isles of Shoals? Meaning of hake-broil and chowder? Define gundalow. Do you think the children enjoyed their father's recital of his Canadian life? Do you think all boys like to know how their fathers lived, worked and played when young? THE MOTHER. How did their mother occupy herself while relating her story? What is Cochecho town now? How did one of her ancestors narrowly escape with his life? What kind of poetry did they have in her early days? Did her recalling the old times make an impression on her listeners? What did "the gray wizard's conjuring book" contain? How famous was it? Where is the Piscataqua? What memories of her happy outdoor life did she recall? What thought changed the expression on her face? Have you read of William Sewell? Was he well-liked? What do you know of Thomas Chalkley? Was he a large man? Narrate the incident of where he offered himself as food when the provisions were low. What is a school of porpoise? Where did this incident happen? How was the crew saved? How was Abraham's child saved? THE UNCLE. Was the uncle an educated man? Did he know much about books? With what kind of knowledge was he familiar? Who had been his teachers? How could he tell about the weather? What do we mean by saying he held the keys to all the woodcraft mysteries? Why did he understand the meanings of nature's voices? What character in mythology did he resemble? What kind of man do you think he was? Did he know much about the outside world? What were some of the pleasures he told about? What did he shoot? What kind of eggs did he find? What caused his listeners to forget about the outside cold and wind? Do you think the uncle was a good story-teller? What season did the stories recall? What is a mink? What did the mink do? Where was the woodchuck? What do you understand by a hermit? What was the muskrat doing? Did you ever see a muskrat's house? Of what is it made? Where was the squirrel and what was it doing? THE AUNT. Whom next does the author recall? In what manner does he speak of her? How does he remember her? Had she ever married? What does she say of her girlhood? Had she ever a romance? Was she a useful woman? What characteristics had she that kept her young? Did they love and respect her? Do most families enjoy having such a person with them? Was she happy and contented? Do some people scorn the unmarried woman? What does Whittier say to such people? SISTER MARY. How many sisters had Whittier? Do you know their names? What was Mary doing? Was she the kind of girl most boys like for a sister? Give reasons for your answer. What of her disposition? Was she kind? Do you think she was a favorite with her friends? Was she living at the time of the writing of "Snow-Bound"? How did her friends express themselves when she was buried? SISTER ELIZABETH. Who was the youngest in the family? Where was she sitting? What is a motley-braided rug? Who do you think made it? Describe Elizabeth. How long had she been dead when her brother wrote this poem? From the statements made what do you judge of their friendship? How do you know they enjoyed strolls together? Why did the familiar things look less bright after she died? Give the beautiful eulogy he pays her memory. What is meant by "life's late afternoon"? "Sunset gates unbar"? What two poems did he dedicate to her? Do you know of any poems she wrote? Where does he expect to meet her? Had his sisters exerted a good influence over him? What makes you think he was always kind to them? THE DISTRICT SCHOOL MASTER. Why is the first line so explanatory of what follows? Had he a certain place to sit at the fire? Do you judge his age? Had he a beard? Mention several things he did. Why did he speak of "Dartmouth" College? Where had he been born? What makes you think his folks were poor? What else had he done besides teaching? Why was he a welcome visitor at many homes? Was he considered a classical scholar? Where is Pindus Mountain? What of the Araxes River? Do you understand the reference made to Olympus? Would you consider the school master a good teacher? Why? What were his ideas of slavery? What makes you think Whittier liked him? THE GUEST. Who was "the not unfeared, half-welcome guest?" In what respects does she differ from the other women mentioned? Was she critical? Had she a quick temper? Was she religious? Who was Petruchio's Kate? Siena's saint? Why are comparisons made? Had she travelled much? Why had she gone to the Eastern Countries? Where is Smyrna? Malta? Jerusalem? Who was "the crazy Queen of Lebanon"? What do you think of the guest? Did her education and religion soften the hard realities of life? Was she a practical woman? Did Whittier sympathize with her wild, enthusiastic fancies ? How did he judge her impulsive outbursts? In what manner did she think the Lord would come again to earth? Give meaning of "threads the fatal sisters spun." Ancestral years. Did Whittier treat her respectfully? What reasons does he give for her peculiar personality? Why is it best to see the good characteristics of people, and not to notice their weaknesses? Why do you think the author was justified in calling Mrs. Harriet Livermore "a not unfeared, half-welcome guest" ? THE ENDING. What time did they go to bed? What did the uncle do? What did the mother do when her work was laid aside? Did they sleep well that night? What awakened them next morning? What did they see? Were the teamsters cheerful about their work? Do you know "Nature's subtlest law"? What pictures did the young men see? Meaning of "the charm which Eden never lost"? Who paused at their door? What did he say? Do you think the mother went? Give the author's idea of a true Christian. Why would you wish to remember lines 670-4? How long was it before they heard from the outside world? Give the reading material they had reread. What book was hidden? What do you know of Thomas Ellwood's writings? What did the village paper contain? Meaning of panoramic? What is the meaning of the reference to the Creeks? McGregor? Taygetos? Yipsilanti? What do you suppose was in the Muse corner? Does this newspaper compare favorably with our weeklies? What book does the author tell the angel to close? Give meaning of palimpsest. Monographs. Do you think he enjoyed recalling these things? Why would lines 734-39 be appropriate for memorizing? What is meant by "Truce of God"? Why are Flemish pictures spoken of in reference to old days? describe the attitude of the traveller in the last lines? Can you CONVERSATION LESSON AFTER COMPLETED POEM. Why could Whittier write such a vivid account of a snowstorm? Tell the story using your own words. Which parts did you enjoy most? Give a character sketch of each member of the household mentioned? Name several characteristics of Whittier's that are revealed in this poem. Can you generally judge correctly a man's character by his treatment of his mother and sisters? How many attributes has this poem that make it the best of its kind? Is there one particular idea given that you especially like? Have you read anything else of Whittier's aside from the study of "Snow-Bound". Why is it a good idea to study the life of an author? Explain why Whittier displays a wonderful knowledge of human nature? Does he show much sympathy and leniency toward the frailties of the human race? Does he recognize strength in character? What do you mean by a broad-minded person? In what respect can we call a poet an artist the same as a painter of famous pictures or as a composer of fine music? QUOTATIONS. Lines 175 182 200 211 What matter how the night behaved? What matter how the north-wind raved? O Time and Change!—with hair as gray Yet Love will dream, and Faith will trust, Alas for him who never sees, The stars shine through his cypress-trees! That Life is ever lord of Death, 'And Love can never lose its own! 422 And yet, dear heart! remembering thee, Am I not richer than of old? Safe in thy immortality. What change can reach the wealth I hold? 427 Thy love hath left in trust with me? |