Abel's Island by William Steig Comprehension Questions

1907

his handkerchief

present it to his wife as a parasol

delicate sandwiches of pot cheese and watercress, hard-boiled quail egg, onions, olives, and black caviar

On the stream

A catamaran using sticks and oars

Due to potential risks

A bridge of some sort

Wild birds

Its size

His predicament

His wife

Food from edible plants and insects

On an unfamiliar island after a hurricane and flood.

He realized he was on an island, saw the surrounding topography, and the waterfall over which he had fallen.

Bothered him.

Twig and bark.

Trees surrounding him and his boat stopped by a towering tree.

Joyous at being back on solid ground.

Crossing the river to return home.

His wife, Amanda.

With a matter-of-fact attitude, leaving the dramatic reactions to his audience.

He had been expecting too much and decided to find a way to cross the river back home.

Realized and acknowledged it.

The search parties that would be looking for him and the story he would have to tell about his improbable journey.

The man used a board, a nail, driftwood, bark, grass, and his jacket as a sail.

The boat had a mast, rudder, and caulking to prevent leakage.

The man used a nail as a rudder for his first boat.

The man used his jacket as a sail for his sailboat.

The man kissed a piece of fluff from his wife for good luck before setting off.

The man felt a sense of pride and confidence as he set sail on his handmade boat.

The man's resourcefulness and determination are highlighted in the text.

The man was determined to reach the other side and was hopeful about the journey despite the challenges of the river.

The man looked back at the island before sailing towards the opposite shore.

Despite being a married mouse, he had never built anything before.

The man used caulking to prevent leakage in his boat.

The man set sail with a favorable breeze.

Abel goes after Amanda's snatched scarf and gets caught in the storm.

Abel faces a waterfall after finding himself in a river, which leads to his boat capsizing and struggling to survive.

The story depicts Abel's struggle in the face of nature's fury, as he endures the ordeal of being caught in the storm and its aftermath.

Abel eventually gets stuck in an unknown place in the dark after his boat capsizes and he struggles to survive.

Amanda's scarf gets snatched by the wind, leading to Abel's decision to go after it, which ultimately results in him being caught in the storm.

Abel clings to a fragment of board and Amanda's scarf as he finds himself in a river.

Abel faces the challenge of being swept away in the storm, clinging to a fragment of board and Amanda's scarf, and eventually struggling to survive after his boat capsizes.

Abel feels the heavy water rushing past him, tugging at his clothes, and is left wondering how long he can endure the ordeal.

The cave symbolizes shelter and safety for Abel and Amanda as they seek refuge from the storm.

The story evokes emotions of fear, determination, and resilience as Abel struggles to survive the aftermath of the storm.

The story highlights the power of nature's fury through the intensifying storm, the river and waterfall challenges, and the struggle for survival faced by Abel.

Abel's experience in the storm reveals the strength of human resilience in the face of adversity and the determination to endure and survive.

He believed he could send her 'mind messages' and even fly or glide to her through the air.

He made a glider by stretching a catalpa leaf across two sticks and attached it to his back.

Instead of the soaring ride he had anticipated, he made a slow, graceful half circle, thudded down on his back in the grass, and lay there for several hours, brokenhearted and dazed with pain.

He felt that the tree was somehow aware of his ascending spiral and enjoyed his delicate scurryings, just as he enjoyed the rugged toughness and sensible architecture of the tree.

Abel prepared milkweed fluff, seeds, dry berries, and mushrooms for winter storage.

Abel became increasingly paranoid and anxious, especially after seeing an owl near his house.

Abel made snowshoes and a homemade shovel to dig out a book from the snow.

Abel found solace in reading.

Abel collected the owl's feathers after a perilous encounter with it.

Abel expressed a strong desire for the owl's suffering.

Abel starts storing acorns, hickory nuts, and wild sunflower seeds in his log to prepare for the coming winter.

Living in nature makes Abel realize the constant activity and beauty around him, leading him to create sculptures and art.

Abel creates sculptures of his wife, mother, father, and siblings, placing them outside his log.

Abel gathers milkweed fluff for warmth, weaves grass mats and curtains for his log, and makes shutters out of bark to prepare for winter.

Abel believes his airborne messages reach his wife Amanda, and he discovers a huge watch and an enormous book near the eastern shore in the vibrant autumn.

The book opens with a description of a masquerade ball featuring bears, providing entertainment and company for Abel.

Abel carefully buries the book under leaves to protect it.

Abel hauls the heavy watch to his house, eagerly returning to continue reading the next morning.

Abel is curious about the book and eagerly returns to continue reading it the next morning.

Abel realizes the island is known to civilized creatures and decides to leave signs of his presence.

Abel loses track of the days but notices the changing colors of the leaves, indicating the arrival of October.

In the vibrant autumn, Abel presses elderberries to make wine.

Abel creates clay tablets with arrows pointing to his home to signal his location, finds a working watch providing a connection to the civilized world, makes a talisman for protection from an owl feather, recites an incantation to the owl's feather, and works on making a winter cape with a hood for protection.

The text describes Abel's encounters with nature, including a silent, predatory owl that attacks him, and his efforts to protect himself by making a talisman for protection from an owl feather, reciting an incantation to the owl's feather, and working on making a winter cape with a hood for protection.

The text portrays Abel's resourcefulness and resilience in the face of adversities, as well as his attempts to find safety and comfort in his wilderness environment.

Abel's encounters with a silent, predatory owl that attacks him, and the approaching winter, contribute to his unease and caution.

Abel addresses a statue of Amanda, seeking reassurance and safety, and recites an incantation to an owl's feather, believing it will protect him from the bird.

Abel makes a talisman for protection from an owl feather, recites an incantation to the owl's feather, and works on making a winter cape with a hood for protection.

The text reveals Abel's unease and caution as he encounters a silent, predatory owl and as winter approaches. It also depicts his attempts to protect himself and find safety and comfort in his wilderness environment.

The story illustrates nature's influence through Abel's encounters with a silent, predatory owl and his efforts to protect himself from the approaching winter.

The owl's feather symbolizes protection, as Abel makes a talisman from it and recites an incantation to it. The statue of Amanda symbolizes reassurance and safety, as Abel seeks these qualities by addressing the statue.

Abel makes a talisman for protection from an owl feather, recites an incantation to the owl's feather, and works on making a winter cape with a hood for protection.

Abel's response reflects his resourcefulness and resilience in the face of adversities, as well as his attempts to find safety and comfort in his wilderness environment.

Abel's story provides insights into the human ability to adapt, protect oneself, and seek comfort and safety in challenging environments.

Abel wishes for suffering and isolation, longing for his feathers to turn to lead and his beak to rot.

Abel attempts to keep warm by stuffing chinks in his home and using his own body heat.

Abel reminisces about his home, family, and friends, yearning for the warmth and comfort he once knew.

Abel's longing for warmth, companionship, and the familiarity of home is a central theme in the text.

The text portrays Abel's emotional and physical suffering as he endures the harsh and isolating winter.

The narrative highlights Abel's deep sense of loneliness and the impact of isolation on his well-being.

After the snow begins to melt, Abel experiences a renewed sense of hope and beauty.

Abel expresses his love for his wife's statue and his longing for spring.

In February, winter intensifies, and Abel struggles with extreme cold and isolation.

Despite his efforts, the cold becomes unbearable, and Abel is consumed by loneliness and longing for his former life.

Abel yearns for the warmth and comfort he once knew as he reflects on his faraway loved ones and the sense of belonging he misses.

Abel longs for warmth, companionship, and the familiarity of home in the winter.

Gower Glackens is an obese, elderly frog who emerges from the stream, drunk and disoriented. His initial interaction with Abel involves flopping onto the bank, spluttering disconnected words, and engaging in civilized speech with Abel.

Abel is overjoyed at hearing civilized speech again and runs over to the recumbent frog, beaming with candid delight. He sits down beside Gower and engages in conversation with him.

The interaction between Abel and Gower Glackens introduces a new character to the isolated island setting and provides a contrast between Abel's surprise at encountering another living being and Gower's relative composure in the situation.

Gower introduces himself by stating his name and expressing surprise at making it out of the river and waterfall. Abel responds by providing his own name and engaging in conversation with Gower, despite his initial surprise at the encounter.

Abel sculpts a statue of Gower and learns about Gower's life, including his musical talents and family.

Abel reveals that he has lived off his mother's provisions and has not found his vocation yet.

Gower attributes Amanda's charm to the 'magic of love.'

Abel is proud of the completed statue of Gower and wishes to show it to Amanda.

Gower compliments Abel's sculpting skills and suggests that he has found his vocation.

Gower observes that the river's current has calmed, indicating it may be time for him to leave the island.

Gower's departure appears imminent as the river's condition has improved.

Gower's contemplative nature and observation of the river indicate his readiness to depart.

Gower's plan to leave the island marks a turning point in the story, influencing the dynamics between the characters and the island's atmosphere.

Abel's sculpting of Gower's statue reflects his emotional investment in understanding and honoring the people and experiences of the island.

The evolving river current serves as a symbolic reflection of the characters' evolving mindsets and the shifting dynamics of their relationships.

The theme of departure and transition adds depth to the story's exploration of personal growth, relationships, and the transient nature of human connections.

Abel experiences overwhelming joy upon reaching the shore and feels a burst of triumph and well-being. He starts walking towards home, reflecting on his past year on the island and his future.

Abel worries about Amanda's status and what he might find at home.

Abel finds shelter in a natural vault of rock and falls asleep, only to wake up facing a cat.

The cat grabs Abel and carries him off, leaving him wondering if he will ever see Amanda and his family again.

Abel eats various plants and starts making sculptures and drawings.

Abel hopes for a drought to lower the river.

Abel's longing for Amanda intensifies as he watches the river's water levels decrease.

Abel tries to send smoke signals and messages down the river.

Abel realizes that Gower may have forgotten about him after successfully crossing the river.

The text ends with Abel observing the river's diminished flow and dry rocks appearing where water used to be.

Abel's decision to quietly return home instead of rushing to Amanda shows his restraint and consideration for Amanda's emotions. He wants to give her the space to process his return and prepare herself for their reunion.

The story illustrates the theme of anticipation and emotional restraint through Abel's anxiousness to reunite with Amanda, yet his ability to restrain himself from rushing to her when he first sees her. This highlights the emotional complexity of their reunion.

As Abel recognizes familiar faces and observes the townsfolk, he experiences a mix of emotions including joy, relief, and a sense of belonging. This journey reflects his longing for home and connection.

Abel's confrontation with the cat symbolizes his determination and resilience as he stands up to the threat and ultimately causes the cat to flee. This reflects his courage and willingness to face challenges.

Mt. Eunice serves as a symbolic landmark representing familiarity, homecoming, and the nearing of Abel's return home. Its recognition brings him a sense of comfort and hope.

The story portrays the theme of restraint and emotional control through Abel's composed behavior as he quietly returns home and eagerly awaits Amanda's return, showing his patience and consideration for her emotions.

Abel's decision to dress in his best clothes while awaiting Amanda's return signifies his anticipation and desire to make the moment special. It reflects his eagerness to reunite with Amanda with respect and affection.

The story depicts the theme of emotional reunion and joy through the overwhelming emotions of shock, overjoy, and affection displayed by both Abel and Amanda upon seeing each other again. This highlights the depth of their connection and love for each other.

Abel's joy at finding everything at home as he left it reflects his longing for familiarity and stability. It signifies a sense of comfort and normalcy amidst the changes he has experienced.

Amanda's shocked and overjoyed reaction upon seeing Abel at home reflects her deep emotional connection and love for him. It signifies the strength of their bond and the relief of being reunited.

The story illustrates the theme of patience and emotional anticipation through Abel's restrained actions, reflective thoughts, and eagerly awaiting Amanda's return. This highlights the emotional complexity of his homecoming.

Abel and Amanda's reunion with overwhelming joy and emotion portrays the depth of their love and the emotional intensity of their reunion. It signifies the strength of their bond and the relief of being together again.