Evangeline Part 13

Lesson XIX, Lines 888-958.

Find subject and predicate of first sentence. Describe house and surroundings. Would flowers grow thus in Acadia? What was love's symbol? Why sea of flowers? Explain 904-910. Why surf? Contrast Basil's home in Grand Pre and the one here. Explain lines 933. Was Basil's way of breaking the news about Gabriel a good one? Why should she be deeply disappointed? Did Gabriel bear his disappointment as did Evangeline? What was the result of Evangeline's longing? Of Gabriel's? Why a fugitive lover? Why fates and streams against him? What did Basil mean line 958?

_Re-union and Feast._

Lesson XX, Lines 959-1020.

Note here change of scene. Is it from pathos to humor or from humor to pathos? What do you gather from lines 959-960 and 964-965? From 961-2? Why should they marvel? Compare conditions of life in Acadia and in Louisiana.

What familiar fact does Basil show, line 982? Why refer to King George? Note the very attractive picture Basil draws--almost a picture of Eden. Was there an _if_ about it, a final word that quite changed the shading of the picture? Is it usually thus? Were the Acadians naturally light-hearted?

_Despair. Hope. On Again._

Lesson XXI, Lines 1021-1077.

What effect had this scene on Evangeline? Why should she hear the sounds of the sea? Why desire to leave the merriment? Explain 1028-1038. Stars are here spoken of as G.o.d's thoughts--what else has the author called them?

Explain 1041-1044. Was the evening in harmony with Evangeline's mood? Why was it the oaks whispered "Patience" and not the beeches or other trees?

Explain 1059-1061. Who were going in quest of Gabriel? Explain references of "Prodigal Son" and "Foolish Virgin" and apply. How was Gabriel blown by fate like the dead leaf? How long before they found traces of Gabriel? What traces? What news finally? Where were they now?

SEC. IV.

_The Great West. The Shawnee. Confidences._

Lesson XXII, lines 1078-1164.

What are amorphas? Why describe thus this territory? Who were Ishmael's children? Why bring out clearly the many dangers to be encountered here?

What is Fata Morgana? Who was the anchorite monk? Why taciturn? How could they follow his footsteps? Who were _they_? How were traces of sorrow and patience visible? Were they unusually touched by the Shawnee's story? Why?

Was it natural for Evangeline and the Shawnee to be drawn together? What common bond had they? What was the effect of Evangeline's story? Were the Shawnee's stories appropriate? Were they comforting or disheartening? What was the snake that crept into Evangeline's thoughts? Was it lasting?

What would naturally dispell it? Are people more brave at night or in the morning? More cheerful when? Why?

_At the Mission. Waiting._

Lesson XXIII, Lines 1165-1205.

Why Black Robe Chief? Why expect good tidings at the Mission? What is a rural chapel? What were vespers and sussuras? What was the cause of the priest's pleasure? Look up Jesuit work in North America. Why were the priest's words like snow flakes to Evangeline? How did Evangeline receive the news? Why should she desire to remain at the Mission rather than return to Basil's home? Was there an unselfish purpose in her remaining?

_A Long Search. Age._

Lesson XXIV, Lines 1206-1291.

How long did Evangeline remain at the Mission? What old custom referred to in lines 1212-1214? What do you know of old husking bees? Who urged patience? The compa.s.s flower ill.u.s.trates what truth? Why is life in a true sense pathless and limitless? What quality is suggested by the gay, luxuriant flower? By the humble plant? Evangeline leaves the Mission to seek Gabriel where? Result? How did she spend the following years? Would you think from the text here her life was wholly given to the thought of Gabriel and to search for him? Why? What was the dawn of another life?

SEC. V.

_Devotion._

Lesson XXV, Lines 1252-1297.

Why was Penn an apostle? What city did he found? How do the streets echo the names of the forest? Who are the Dryads? Why did she feel at home here? Does she finally give up hope? Explain lines 1270-1275. What made the world look bright to her? Does one's state of mind determine to a large extent how the world looks? Does the world look the same at night and in the morning? When are we most likely to see it as it is? Was Gabriel forgotten? What were the lessons her life had taught her? What became of her love? How did she act practically upon her feeling? What was the word or the thing that drew her?

She shows what quality 1291-1293? What is a Sister of Mercy? Why had she not joined the Order before? Had she in a true sense been a sister of mercy before joining the Order? Do you think she regretted the long struggle that fitted her so well for this work?

_The Pestilence._

Lesson XXVI, Lines 1298-1342.

How did death flood life? What made the lake brackish? Why silver stream?

What is the usual cause of a pestilence? Why call it a scourge of his anger?

Where was the almshouse? Where is the spot now? This was an opportunity for whom? What was the appearance of the sister? What occasioned it? Is what we _are_ written in our faces? What morning did she visit the almshouse?

In what season? Had she a premonition that her quest was ended? Are premonitions common? What was the effect of this feeling upon her? Why was death a consoler?

_The Meeting._

Lesson XXVII, Lines 1343-1400.

White expecting something, was Evangeline prepared for the meeting? How did it affect her? How did Gabriel appear? What was the cause? What is the reference about sprinkling the portals? What was Gabriel's condition? What effect had the cry of Evangeline? Did he recognize Evangeline and realize she was with him? What came to his mind? Did he finally recognize Evangeline? Was this recognition a blessing for her? What effect had this meeting upon her? How did she express it? Where are the lovers supposed to be now? Do you think Evangeline's life ended here?

Scene s.h.i.+fts to where? What has occurred? Does the author state that those old scenes of Acadian life can now be seen? Where? In lines 1399-1400 is there any suggestion as to this story?

Note.--It would be well at the conclusion of this study to spend one or two periods in going over the story as a whole that the poem, in its general outline, may be better retained in the pupil's mind.

COMPOSITION SUBJECTS.

1. Acadian Life. (Contrast with present.) 2. The Notary.

3. Character of Gabriel.

4. Character of Evangeline.

5. The Betrothal Feast.

6. The Scene on the Sh.o.r.e.

7. On the River. (Compare mode of traveling with present ones by land and water.) 8. Home of Basil. (Contrast with the home in Acadia.) 9. The Mission.

10. The Search and its Reward.