White Out Study Questions

Novel Study

Whiteout by James Houston

INSTRUCTIONS: Each of the following chapter questions are to be completed when you finish reading the chapter.

Chapter 1:

What is the setting (time and place) of this novel? What does the letter reveal about:

Jon's behavior; His father; His mother's ultimatum

Chapter 2:

How does Jon feel about his trip? How do you know? Describe the dream Jon has while on the plane.

Chapter 3:

What was Jon referring to when he said "The Arctic's not supposed to look like this,"? (Pg.8) How did Harry defend the Inuit? (Pg. 9) Why was Dr. Svenson travelling to Nanuvik? (Pg. 11)

Chapter 4:

Why was Harry so anxious to take off? (Pg. 14) Why did Jon and Rusty change places in the plane? (Pg.15) How did Jonathan get in trouble with the law? (Pg.16) Who is Noddy Pelgrin? (Pg.17) What does the word "Nanuvik" mean? (Pg. 18) Why didn't Jon's uncle greet him at the shore? (Pg.19) What warning did Noddy give Jon concerning Jon's uncle?

Chapter 5:

Who is Calvin Aird? Why did Calvin Aird say to Jon: "That was strictly for our audience,..... We've got a lot of things to settle before anyone could call us friends."? What did Jon's father send to his brother? How did Calvin respond to this gift? Jon's uncle is stern, domineering and mistrustful. Give examples of his behavior in this chapter which demonstrate each on of these characteristics.

Chapter 6:

What do we discover about Noddy? (His home, future job posting, character) What did Jon's mother give to him? In three or four sentences, try to predict what will happen to Jon in the next year.

Chapter 7:

What happens at the beginning of the chapter which shows that Calvin is "tight" concerning money? Describe the school ( both exterior and interior). Why had the older Inuit given the name "angotiapik" to Dorie Bowden? How does Mr. Walski feel about Jon? Why?

Chapter 8:

What did Jon find ironic about being barred from the school? What was inside the trunk? (Be specific) What chore did Calvin give Jon? How did Jon react to doing this task? What return message did the school board send to Mr. Walski? How did Jon, Calvin and Noddy react? Why did Jon get upset with Calvin? What was Calvin's explanation? What does this say about Calvin? How did Jon's first class go?

Chapter 9:

The Inuit have a different way of communication. Give two examples of this special body language. Describe Panee as Jon saw her? Why did Calvin get so angry with Jon and Noddy? What warning does Noddy give Jon concerning Calvin's black moods? What eventually brings Calvin out of this mood?

Chapter 10:

What was unusual about the book Jon's father sent to Calvin? "Jon, for the first time, had a feeling of pride about his uncle." What caused this? What did Jon realize about himself at the end of this chapter?

Chapter 11:

Why did Jon invite the nurse to meet his uncle? Give an example of the conflict between Jon and Mr. Walski as it is developed in this chapter. What the kadlunait? Why was the whaler's house so unusal?

Chapter 12:

Jon sees the scarfaced man again. How did Panee react when Jon asked about him? What does Jon tell Panee about his relationship with his mother? Pudlo invites Jon to visit his family's house. Why was Jon so flattered by this invitation? What did Pudlo reveal about Panee's future?

Chapter 13:

Why was Noddy so surprised at Calvin's reaction to Jon's outburst? What warning does Calvin give Jon about getting friendly with the Inuit? What do we learn about Calvin's past from this warning? What did Calvin do with the $18,000.00 Jon's father sent? What characteristic does this reveal about Calvin?

Chapter 14:

Describe Jon's encounter with Walski. Why does Walski dislike Jon so much? Panee and Jon make plans for the future. What are these plans?