Questions

1. What comes to mind when you hear the word weasel? What are the qualities of a weasel that Annie Dillard admires?

   Question

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   Questions: - What comes to mind when you hear the word weasel? What are the qualities of a weasel that Annie Dillard admires?
2. Dillard uses a great deal of figurative language, hyperbole, and even alliteration in her writing. How do these features contribute to the effectiveness of the essay?

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   Questions: - Dillard uses a great deal of figurative language, hyperbole, and even alliteration in her writing. How do these features contribute to the effectiveness of the essay?
3. Dillard writes “we” in the third paragraph, indicating the first of several times she identifies with the weasel. What are the others? What is the effect of these identifications?

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   Questions: - Dillard writes “we” in the third paragraph, indicating the first of several times she identifies with the weasel. What are the others? What is the effect of these identifications?
4. Notice Dillard’s careful attention to detail and style. How do the juxtapositions in paragraph 5 and the particular details—especially in paragraphs 4 and 6—contribute to her purpose?

   Question

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   Questions: - Notice Dillard’s careful attention to detail and style. How do the juxtapositions in paragraph 5 and the particular details—especially in paragraphs 4 and 6—contribute to her purpose?
5. Dillard uses the phrase “under the wild rose” several times in the essay. What effect does this repetition have on the piece as a whole?

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   Questions: - Dillard uses the phrase “under the wild rose” several times in the essay. What effect does this repetition have on the piece as a whole?
6. What does Dillard mean by “the perfect freedom of single necessity” (par. 14)? She continues, “I think it would be well, and proper, and obedient, and pure, to grasp your one necessity and not let it go, to dangle from it limp wherever it takes you” (par. 15). What does she mean? What might be your “one necessity”? Do you agree with what she says about grasping it? Explain.

   Question

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   Questions: - What does Dillard mean by “the perfect freedom of single necessity” (par. 14)? She continues, “I think it would be well, and proper, and obedient, and pure, to grasp your one necessity and not let it go, to dangle from it limp wherever it takes you” (par. 15). What does she mean? What might be your “one necessity”? Do you agree with what she says about grasping it? Explain.