Topics for Further Study
- In today's society, pregnancy among unmarried women is not as heavily stigmatized as it was in the early 1900s when Grace Brown felt utterly isolated. Nonetheless, teenage pregnancy and adolescent sexuality remain complex and contentious social topics. In a group discussion, explore whether the emotional aspects of teenage pregnancy have evolved over the past century. Also, reflect on changing attitudes toward sexuality, contraception, abortion, and abstinence programs.
- Mattie, an avid reader, is profoundly influenced by the literature she consumes, with Emily Baxter's poetry collection, Threnody, leaving the most significant impression. Write a two-page essay about a book that has greatly influenced your life. What elements of the book inspired you, and what actions did it motivate you to take? Include specific examples from both the book and your personal experiences.
- Word duels are a creative component of Mattie's interactions with Weaver. Compile a list of the challenging vocabulary words that introduce each chapter in the novel, and identify as many synonyms as possible for each term. Engage a partner in a synonym duel using your list until you run out of options. Additionally, try incorporating each word from your list into a sentence.
- Mattie feels disheartened by the notion that characters in novels cannot alter their destinies. Is there a character in A Northern Light whose fate you wish to change? Select a character other than Mattie and rewrite their storyline in a two-page essay. Consider how this alteration could have influenced Mattie's life and the overall outcome of the novel.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.