Questions and Answers
What causes the young bride's 'hot and cold shivers'?
Honeymoon
How does the author describe Alicia and Jordan's house?
It's a 'wintry enchanted palace' with 'completely bare walls' and 'a sensation of unpleasant coldness.'
What does Alicia do during a typical day?
Waits for Jordan to return from work
What makes Alicia ill the first time?
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What do the doctors find wrong with Alicia?
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In the depths of her illness, Alicia imagines she sees what?
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During his wife's illness, it becomes clear that Jordan feels what about his wife?
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What causes Alicia's death?
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What does the feather pillow have to do with Alicia's death?
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What is a Gothic theme that can be found in The Feather Pillow?
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Unlike the Gothic fiction of Poe, Quiroga's story is a product of what culture?
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The Feather Pillow uses the Gothic form to show the effects of...
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What details from the story foreshadow the outcome of the story?
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What effect do you think Quiroga was trying to achieve in The Feather Pillow?
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What aspects of his style show him trying to achieve that effect?
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How is Jordan portrayed in the beginning of the story?
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The conflict of character vs. the supernatural is seen in Alicia when she hallucinates because...
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What does Alicia's illness only at night symbolize?
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How is Jordan's character different towards the end of the story?
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The mood in the beginning of the story is...
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Cite words or phrases that support the mood in the beginning of the story.
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A theme for the story might be regret because...
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Alicia's love for Jordan contributed to her death because...
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When Alicia becomes sick, the mood in the story shifted from one of minor anxiety to one of terror and horror. Cite words to show the new mood.
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How does the vampiric nature of the parasite compare to Alicia and Jordan's relationship?
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Study Notes
The Feather Pillow Analysis
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The story begins with Alicia experiencing "hot and cold shivers" during her honeymoon, highlighting her unsettled state.
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Alicia and Jordan’s home is described as a "wintry enchanted palace," characterized by bare walls and an unpleasant coldness, creating a sense of isolation.
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Alicia spends her days waiting for Jordan to return from work, emphasizing her loneliness.
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Alicia's health declines due to influenza and anemia, creating a foundation for her later struggles.
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Doctors are perplexed by Alicia's condition, stating she has "a great weakness that I am unable to explain."
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In her illness, Alicia hallucinates and imagines seeing an anthropoid, illustrating her deteriorating mental state.
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Jordan's feelings towards Alicia reveal profound love during her illness, indicating a shift in his character from distant to more caring.
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Alicia's ultimate demise is attributed to a parasitic creature that feeds on her blood, which signifies the horror aspect of the narrative.
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The feather pillow is integral to Alicia's death; it harbors a monstrous being that symbolizes the insidious nature of her condition.
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A gothic theme present in the narrative is the presence of houses with hidden evil, reflecting the story's dark undertones.
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Unlike Poe's Gothic fiction, Quiroga's work emerges from a Latin American cultural background, showcasing different cultural elements.
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The Gothic form in The Feather Pillow effectively illustrates the isolation faced by women in conservative communities.
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Foreshadowing is used effectively; Alicia's lack of fainting spells hints at her gradual decline towards death.
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Quiroga aims to create an emotional effect of suspense and horror, mirroring classical Gothic themes.
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Elements of descriptive style, such as the portrayal of the house and the characters’ interactions, help build the suspenseful atmosphere.
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Jordan is initially characterized as cold and distant, which sets the stage for the emotional pay-off later when he shows concern.
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The conflict between character and the supernatural is represented by Alicia's hallucinations, suggesting her husband’s emotional neglect contributes to her decline.
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Alicia’s night-time illness symbolizes fear, as night aligns with supernatural connotations, enhancing the story's horror elements.
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By the end, Jordan's character evolves to show care for Alicia, contrasting his earlier coldness and showing deeper affection.
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The mood at the beginning is described as brooding and somber, setting a foreboding tone for the narrative.
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Phrases such as "chills," "unpleasant coldness," and "abandonment" reinforce the somber mood established early on.
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A major theme is regret; Jordan realizes he loved Alicia but failed to express it until it was nearly too late.
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Alicia's desire to suppress her past dreams and live as a "sleeping beauty" reflects her sacrificial love, ultimately contributing to her demise.
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As Alicia's illness progresses, the mood shifts from anxiety to terror, illustrated by words like "deathly silence" and "crepuscular terror."
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The parasitic nature of the creature parallels Jordan and Alicia's relationship, where both emotionally and physically drain her vitality.
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Description
Explore the key themes and character dynamics of The Feather Pillow through this literary analysis flashcard quiz. Test your understanding of character behaviors, settings, and the emotional tone of the story. Dive deeper into the nuances of the author's writing style as you review each card.