TATSEA: CHAPTER-BY-CHAPTER THINKING QUESTIONS
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1. Which of the five characters introduced in Chapter One do you think will
be the main characters in this novel?
2. What connection does Tatsea make as she peers at Ikotsali through the peephole?
3. Using the evidence in the opening chapter, describe the setting (the time
and place) of this novel.
4. Using the evidence in this opening chapter, what are the relationships between
the characters?
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1. The story of the boy turning into a frog is retold in Chapter Two. How is
the retelling different from the original telling? Does the retelling help or
hinder the story?
2. In your own words describe how the Dogrib Handgame is played.
3. Using evidence from Chapters One and Two, describe Ikotsali’s character.
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1. What incidents happen in this chapter that suggest that the story will move
in a new direction?
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1. Discuss the author’s use of details to draw the reader into the realities
of Tatsea and Ikotsali’s world.
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1. Discuss Tatsea’s question, “What kind of man was Ikotsali that
he would think of such a thing?”
2. Using evidence from Chapter Five, describe Tatsea and Ikotsali’s relationship.
3. Describe infant care in this setting.
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1. Are the events of Chapter Six convincing to the reader? Why or why not? Support
your answer with evidence from the chapter.
2. By the end of the chapter how has Tatsea’s world changed?
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1. Using evidence from Chapter Seven, describe Ikotsali’s character.
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1. Are Tatsea’s actions in this chapter true to her character as it has
been developed to this point in the novel? Support your answer with evidence
from the novel.
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1. Are Ikotsali’s actions true to his character as it has been developed
to this point in the novel? Support your answer with evidence from the novel.
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1. Discuss the use of details in this chapter to convey Tatsea’s experience
to the reader.
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1. What details in the novel so far support Ikotsali’s humorous thought
that he is turning into a woman?
2. Discuss the changes in mood that occur in this chapter.
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1. Using evidence from Chapters Ten and Twelve discuss why Blueleg has taken
Tatsea captive rather than killing her.
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1. Discuss how the burial practices shown in this chapter might fit in with
the lifestyle of the Dogrib people in that time and place.
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1. “What kind of man was this who protected her like a wife, made her
work like a wife, but never touched her like a wife?” Discuss possible
reasons for Blueleg’s behaviour.
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1. Discuss the effect of this chapter on the forward movement of the novel.
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1. Discuss the use of language in this chapter to maintain Tatsea’s point
of view.
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1. Discuss the spiritual connections between Ikotsali, Tatsea, and the baby
as revealed up to this point in the novel.
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1. Using evidence from this chapter and previous chapters discuss why the shape
of the piece of water would be so startling to Tatsea.
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1. In the context of the novel, is the episode with the bushman convincing.
Discuss using supporting evidence.
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1. Discuss the effectiveness of the use of the mirror in this chapter.
2. What purpose does the dog’s visit serve in the novel?
3. Is the attitude of the women toward Tatsea believable?
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1. Discuss the simlilarities and differences between Ikotsali’s stories
and his dreams.
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1. Discuss how the events of this chapter move the story forward.
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1. Discuss how Ikotsali’s remembering of the Creation story helps him
to decide to travel in search of Tatsea.
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1. Using details from the chapter, discuss the credibility of Tatsea’s
decision to follow her people’s hair rather than turn back to find of
her baby.
2. Discuss Fox Face and Ghost Face’s attitude toward Tatsea.
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Chapter 27
1. Tatsea encounters many things for the first time in this chapter. Discuss
the credibilty of her reactions to the things she sees.
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1. Discuss how Ikotsali is able to survive his fall through the ice.
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1. Discuss why Tatsea is willing to trust the words of the first wife.
2. What new attitude does Muskox Face introduce into the novel.
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1. Discuss the credibility of Tatsea’s reaction to the trading ritual.
2. Justify Tatsea’s feeling that despite her brusies the first wife knows
how to survive.
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1. This chapter shows the third time Ikotsali uses power. Compare and contrast
Ikotsali’s use of power in this chapter to the way he used it early in
the novel.
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Chapter 33
1. Discuss the events in this chapter in terms of their importance to the novel.
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Chapter 34
1. Discuss the significance of Tatsea’s reaction to McKay’s comment,
“Those Enda people see spirits behind every tree.”
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