The Ocean At The End of The Lane Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who is Ginnie Hempstock?

Lettie's Mom

Who is Ursula Monkton?

The Housekeeper

The narrator has returned to the area where he spent his childhood for _____________.

Funeral

What is the name of the cat the opal miner gives the narrator?

Monster Signup and view all the answers

What presents does the narrator receive for his seventh birthday?

Batman figure and Narnia books Signup and view all the answers

Where is the opal miner said to be from?

South Africa Signup and view all the answers

How long had the narrator lived in the old house that had been knocked down?

7 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the Hempstock's cow?

Bessie Signup and view all the answers

What kills the fish in Lettie's ocean in Chapter 2?

A sixpence coin Signup and view all the answers

What type of vehicle does the narrator's father get in Chapter 3?

Range Rover Signup and view all the answers

In Chapter 3, what does the narrator get caught in his throat?

A coin Signup and view all the answers

Where does the narrator feel pain when he catches the writhing mass of cobwebs and rotting cloth in Chapter 4?

His foot Signup and view all the answers

What had the narrator once dug out of his knee with a penknife?

A wart Signup and view all the answers

Once the narrator becomes an adult, who tells him that he had been a monster when he was a child?

His aunts Signup and view all the answers

Who is described as the previous housekeeper at the narrator's family's home in Chapter 6?

Gertruda Signup and view all the answers

What is the narrator's laboratory in actuality?

A green-painted shed Signup and view all the answers

In Chapter 7, what does Ursula threaten to do if the narrator tries to leave the property?

Lock him in his room Signup and view all the answers

In Chapter 7, what does Ursula make for dinner?

Meatloaf Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator's dad punish the narrator for being rude and locking the door?

Drowns him in cold water Signup and view all the answers

Where does Ursula threaten to put the narrator when she catches up with him in Chapter 8?

In the attic Signup and view all the answers

In Chapter 8, what color does the meadow explode into?

Gold Signup and view all the answers

What do the Hempstocks give to the narrator's parents after they bring his toothbrush to him?

Scones Signup and view all the answers

In Chapter 20, what wakes the narrator in the night?

Strange dreams Signup and view all the answers

After the narrator wakes up in Chapter 10, who helps him find his way downstairs?

The kitten Signup and view all the answers

Where has Lettie been scratched when she returns in Chapter 10?

Her cheek Signup and view all the answers

In Chapter 11, how high does Ursula hold the narrator off the ground?

20 feet Signup and view all the answers

What does Lettie do when Ursula refuses to put the narrator down in Chapter 11?

She whistles Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator call the things that devour Ursula?

Hunger birds Signup and view all the answers

Why do the cleaners refuse to leave?

There is still a bit of Ursula in the narrator Signup and view all the answers

What is in the center of the fairy circle?

A dead tree Signup and view all the answers

What have the cleaners promised Ursula in Chapter 12?

She can have the narrator as company Signup and view all the answers

When the narrator is in the ocean, what can he see above and below him?

Darkness Signup and view all the answers

Why can't the narrator stay in the ocean forever?

It would destroy him Signup and view all the answers

What type of tree do the hunger birds devour in Chapter 14?

Oak Signup and view all the answers

What takes Lettie away in Chapter 14?

A huge wave Signup and view all the answers

In Chapter 15, what does the narrator name the black cat that comes to his door?

Ocean Signup and view all the answers

How old was the narrator when he returned to the farm on his previous visits, according to Old Mrs. Hempstock in the Epilogue?

Twenty-four and thirties Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Characters

Ginnie Hempstock is the mother of Lettie Hempstock, integral to the story's events.
Ursula Monkton serves as the housekeeper with malicious intent, creating conflict in the narrative.
Gertruda is identified as the previous housekeeper of the narrator's family home, hinting at a history of household changes.

Setting and Plot

The narrator returns to his childhood area for a funeral, recalling significant past events.
The opal miner is mentioned to be from South Africa, connecting to the narrator's family history.
The old house where the narrator lived for seven years is now demolished, emphasizing change and loss.

Events and Symbols

The narrator receives a Batman figure and Narnia books for his seventh birthday, illustrating his childhood interests.
A coin, specifically a sixpence, kills the fish in Lettie’s ocean, representing a loss of innocence.
The narrator's father acquires a Range Rover, highlighting changes in family wealth or status.

Character Experiences

The narrator experiences pain in his foot after encountering a writhing mass of cobwebs, symbolizing his confrontation with the unknown.
A wart once dug out of his knee with a penknife reflects childhood trauma and exploration.
Ursula threatens to confine the narrator to his room, showcasing her controlling nature.

Relationships

The Hempstocks proactively provide scones to the narrator's parents, illustrating their hospitality and connection to the family.
Lettie Hempstock returns with a scratch on her cheek post-encounter with Ursula, indicating danger.

Climax and Resolution

In a pivotal moment, Ursula holds the narrator twenty feet off the ground, showcasing her power.
Lettie’s whistle to distract Ursula illustrates her resourcefulness and bravery.
The narrative culminates as hunger birds, representing dark forces, consume Ursula, leading to her demise.

Themes and Motifs

Darkness described both above and below the narrator while in the ocean underscores themes of fear and uncertainty.
The dead tree at the center of the fairy circle serves as a symbol of decay and the cyclical nature of life.
The inability of the narrator to stay in the ocean forever emphasizes the limitations of childhood wonder.

Personal Growth

The narrator, now older, reflects on his past experiences, revealing deeper insights into his character development.
Throughout his journey, he grapples with the remnants of Ursula's influence lingering within him, indicating lasting effects of trauma.

Final Reflections

The narrator returns to the farm in his twenties and thirties, indicating a continued connection to his childhood and the legacy of the Hempstocks.
The black cat named Ocean represents a new chapter in the narrator's life, integrating his past while moving forward.

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Description

Test your knowledge about the characters and key elements from 'The Ocean At The End of The Lane' by Neil Gaiman. This flashcard quiz covers important figures and plot points that shape the narrative. Perfect for fans of Gaiman's work or those studying the book in class.