English 9 Whiteout

Whiteoutby James Houston

You can choose to do these questions OR the assignment on the last page.

Chapter One

1. Jonathan Aird received a letter from his mother. What was the main message of the letter?

2. What is your impression of Jon after reading Chapter One?

3. Describe the two conflicts that are identified in this chapter.

Chapter Two

1. How did Jon feel after he boarded the jet bound for Frobisher Bay?

2. What was the book Kabloona about?

3. What did Jon dream about while on board the jet?

4.     Find the definition of 'whiteout' at the beginning of the book. Why do you think the author might have chosen Whiteout as the title for this book?

Chapter Three

1. What was Jon's reaction while driving through the village?

2. How does Harry tell Jon about Nanuvik?

English 9 Whiteout

3. What is an angokok?

4. This chapter illustrates both physical and spiritual conflict between two cultures. Explain.

Chapter Four

1. What does Jon learn about his Uncle from one of the pilots?

2. How does Nanuvik appear from the air?

3. Who was Noddy Pelgrin?

4. What advice does Noddy give to Jon by the end of the chapter?

5. Nanuvik means "place of bears". Consider Jon's dream in Chapter Two. How do these details contribute to suspense?

6. Although we haven't yet met Calvin Aird, we know a lot about him because of what other characters have revealed. Construct a character outline sheet and fill in what you have learned so far. As you continue reading, add new characteristics as they appear and build your evidence to support each characteristic you have identified.

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Chapter Five

1. What type of greeting does Jon receive from his uncle?

2. Describe the dwelling place of Calvin Aird.

3. What is your impression of Calvin Aird?

4. Discuss the conflict that exists between Jon and his uncle by discussing the reasons for its existence.

Chapter Six

1. Describe the trading scene between Calvin Aird and the Inuit.

2. What Inuit name do the girls give Jon? What does it mean?

3. What are Jon's feelings for Panee?

4. In this chapter, Jon acknowledges his internal conflict. Explain with specific reference to the novel.

Chapter Seven

1. Describe the school and students in Nanuvik

2. What type of greeting did Jon receive during his first day at school?

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3. What was Walski's reasoning for dismissing Jon as music teacher?

4. Jon is the protagonist of this novel. Explain why Walski can be considered the antagonist.

5. How is Jon’s attitude changing? Why?

Chapter Eight

1. What new reading material did Jon get from his uncle?

2. What chore did Calvin assign to Jon?

3.     Why was Jon disappointed on Saturday morning?

Chapter Nine

1. What did Dorie encourage Jon to do during Walski's absence?

2.     What does Noddie explain to Jon about the Inuit's idea of playing games?

3. How does Jon show he is part of the community?

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Chapter Ten

1. What was contained within the binding of the book, Midsummer Night's Dream?

2. What did Calvin learn about Walski's treatment of Jon?

3. What does Jon say in his diary that makes Nunavik bearable?

4.     What discovery does Jon make about his own life?

Chapter Eleven

1. Describe the internal conflict Walski is experiencing.

2. From what point of view is this novel written? Third person limited or third-person omniscient? How can you tell?

3. What difficulties might Jon and Panee face due to their different backgrounds?

4. What do Jon and Noddie plan concerning the Nurse?

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5.     How did the first music class go?

6. Who were the Kadlunait?

Chapter Twelve

1. Describe Jon's encounter with the scar-faced man.

2. What does Jon reveal to Panee about his mother?

3. Why were the Inuit proud when Jon spoke to Panee's family?

4.     What does Jon learn about the arranged marriage of Panee?

5. Why do you think the scar-faced man keeps appearing?

6. What literary technique is the author using here?

7. What purpose does this serve?

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Chapter Thirteen

1. What does Calvin reveal to Noddy concerning his impression of Jon?

2. How does Calvin shock Jon?

3. Describe two instances where Calvin shows he really cares about Jon.

Chapter Fourteen

1. What interesting item did Jon pick from reading Ramussen's book?

2. What effect did it have on school?

3. Describe the outburst in the classroom. What was Panee's reaction?

4. What plans do Jon and Panee make for the future? Are these plans realistic? Why or why not?

4. How do Jon's thoughts stray according to his diary?

Chapter Fifteen

1. What does Jon learn about Edlout?

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2. How do the students react following Jon's apology?

3. Why did all the students show up to the next music class?

4. How did the Town of Nunavik prepare for Christmas?

5. We know there have been changes in Jon since the beginning of the novel. In this chapter, we find Calvin is also changing. Explain.

Chapter Sixteen

1. "My grandmother says that Telulijuk, the woman who lives under the sea, must have helped you after you got under her ice. She says you've got to find a way to thank that woman somehow. Show her you're glad to be back with all of us...alive". What do you think might be foreshadowed by this reference to the sea goddess?

2. Why was Pudlo cautious?

3. What advice did Pudlo give Jon once safe on the ice?

Chapter Seventeen

1. What did Jon visualize once alone in the darkness of his room?

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2. What was Jon's impression of Dorie Bowen?

3. Who is Ene Pilchuck?

Chapter Eighteen

1. Who came to visit Calvin? Why?

2. What privilege does Calvin allow Jon and Noddy during dinner?

3. What brings about the change in Walski?

Chapter Nineteen

1. Where does Jon plan to go with Pudlo? For how long?

2. How did Jon prepare for the journey?

3. What gift did Panee have for Jon?

4.  What skill did Pudlo show in changing the course of the sled?

5. Describe the feeding of the dogs. How did Pudlo protect the remaining dog food?

6. Why did they keep the light burning in the igloo?

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7. How does this trip illustrate traditional male and female roles?

Chapter Twenty

1. Describe the weather conditions as they make preparations to leave the camp to go fishing.

2. Why did Pudlo cut a hole in the igloo on the windward side?

3. What is egaks? What is its purpose?

4. What was Jon's reaction to the meeting of Panee and Edlout at the Eskimo camp?

5. What was the effect of Pudlo's snow blindness?

Chapter Twenty-one

1. What difficulty was Pudlo experiencing?

2. Why did Panee believe their Inua had left them?

3. What was the purpose of the ice chisel?

4. What two methods did Jon and his friends use to fish?

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5. How does the author foreshadow an approaching storm?

Chapter Twenty-two

1. What incident in this chapter was foreshadowed at the beginning of the novel?

2. How did Panee become separated from the others?

3. What did Jon and Pudlo decide to do when they found each other again?

4. What advice did Pudlo share with Jon in regards to staying alive?

Chapter Twenty-three

1. What means did Jon take to aid Pudlo in dealing with snowblindness?

2. What is Pudlo's confession?

3. How had Panee found shelter in the storm?

4.     What means did Jon and Pudlo undertake to revive Panee?

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Chapter Twenty-four

1. Why had the dogs not run away?

2. What means did Jon and Pudlo undertake to revive Panee?

Chapter Twenty-five

1. Who was the strange man who encouraged the dogs to cross the open land?

2. How do the women at the camp try to revive Panee?

3. What does Edlout plan to do?

4. What awakens Jon from his dream?

Chapter Twenty-six

1. What does Heather declare has kept Panee alive?

2. How is Panee treated?

3. What offer does Kudlik make to Jon?

4. Why has Panee become so important to Jon?

5. Describe the atmosphere in Nanuvik when Jon and Edlout arrive after their night's journey.

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Chapter Twenty-seven

1. What strange gift does Jon receive?

2. What plans does Jon make for the coming year?

3. What does Jon's inquiry concerning the sculpture result in?

4. What is the significance of the stone carving of the sea goddess? What does it symbolize?

Chapter Twenty-eight

1. What did Jon do with the carving of the sea goddess?

2. What demonstration did the shaman display?

3. How is the weather changed?

4. What does Panee tell Jon about the south?

Chapter Twenty-nine

1. Why is Noddy excited?

2. What decision is Jon struggling with?

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3. What does Calvin say about Edlout?

Chapter Thirty

1. What was the purpose of Panee's family egg gathering?

2. What does Pudlo tell Jon?

3. Why does Panee tell Jon to go south?

Chapter Thirty-one

1. What was Panee's reaction to Jon's departure?

2. Describe the last image in the book.

3.     Do you agree or disagree with Jon's decision to return south without Panee? Explain why you feel as you do.

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Chapters 1 – 5 (Complete ONE of these below)

1. Describe the situation Jonathan must endure if he wishes to receive his inheritance when he turns twenty.

2. Complete a character sketch sheet for Jon.

3.     If you were an interpreter of dreams, how might you explain Jonathan's dream on page 5?

4.     How does Harry react to Jonathan's initial criticisms of what he sees in the Arctic?

6.     We all sometimes make assumptions without having all the facts. How would you describe Uncle Cal after reading these five chapters? We will check back later to see if your initial impression has changed.

8.     Describe the ancient religious practice of shamanism and the spirit world in which the Inuit believe.

 

Question # _____

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Reading Check Chapters 1 - 5

1.  Two reasons Jonathan's mother is upset with him.

a.

b.

2. What is the name of the book Jon's mother gave him?

3.     What is the name Harrry gives to the Eskimo?

4.     Where is Jonathan headed?

5.   ____________________      ...... means place of bears.

6.   ____________________     The Eskimo word for yes...

7.   ____________________     Eskimo for "How are you?"

8.   ____________________     The fifth largest island in the world

9.   ____________________     The name of Jon's Uncle's clerk

10.   ____________________     Name of the driver of the dog team

11.   ____________________     Language the Eskimo speak

12.   ____________________     Principal of the school

13.   ____________________     Female teacher at the school

14.   ____________________     Nurse

15.   ____________________     Type of hat Calvin Aird is wearing

16.    What is a snow knife used for?

17.   ____________________     The name of the book Jon's father had left to Uncle Calvin

18.   ____________________     Uncle Calvin refers to the toilet facilities as the......

19.   ____________________     Uncle Cal keeps the spare room tidy in case who might drop by?

English 9 Whiteout

Assignment

As you read the novel Whiteout, prepare the dictionary from Section A and one topic from each of Section B and C. This assignment will be due one week after completing the novel.

Section A

Compile an Inuit dictionary for white men. Your dictionary will include at least fifteen Inuit words taken from the novel, its English meaning, and where possible, illustrations. (You may draw your own illustrations, or use clipart, if available to you)

Section B

Do ONE of the following

Illustrate three scenes from the novel. Each illustration must be on a sheet of plain white paper 8-1/2 x 11

Sketch any six of the following: igloo, harpoon, dog sled, Inuit carving (see page 108), grub box, gill net, husky dog, snow goggles, twin engine Otter, snowmobile. Each drawing must be on a sheet of plain white paper 81/2 x 11.

Create an Inuit piece of sculpture. You may carve your sculpture from a bar of soap, plasticine, wood, plaster of paris, clay, or any other medium. Include a write up on your sculpture. Why would an Inuit choose this object to carve? What is its significance?

Create a memory box in which Jonathan has collected at least six memoirs of his time in the Arctic. Label and explain each item.

Write an Inuit myth to explain one of the following. (See How Seals Were Made: Openings: Page 142)          The existence of the polar bear          The existence of the walrus          The existence of the seal          The existence of the caribou

Write the music for Jonathan's composition Write the lyrics to accompany Jonathan's composition

Section C

Prepare two 'fact sheets' of approximately 200 - 250 words, choosing from the following topics:

how to make an igloo ice fishing/fishing dog sledding throat singing the Hudson Bay Company soapstone carvings Inuit art - photocopies are acceptable caribou hunting spiritual beliefs snow blindness traditional tools and/or weapons used by the Inuit traditional Inuit clothing the Inuit diet