Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg
- 1. "Smilla's Sense of Snow" by Peter Høeg is a captivating novel that intricately weaves together themes of obsession, the complexity of human emotion, and the stark beauty of the Arctic landscape. The story follows Smilla Jaspersen, a half-Greenlandic, half-Danish woman who possesses a profound and almost mystical understanding of snow and ice, which she associates with her childhood memories in Greenland. When a young neighbor, Isaiah, falls to his death from the roof of her Copenhagen apartment building, Smilla becomes convinced that his death is not an accident but linked to a larger conspiracy involving the hidden divisions of society, racial identity, and environmental degradation. As she delves deeper into Isaiah’s life and her own fragmented past, Smilla finds herself entangled in a dangerous investigation that challenges her perceptions and forces her to confront the isolation she has cultivated. Høeg's writing is rich with atmospheric detail, employing the metaphor of snow to explore themes of clarity and obscurity, as well as the fine line between truth and perception. The novel is not only a suspenseful narrative but also a profound reflection on belonging, the scars of colonialism, and the ways in which human lives intersect in unexpected and often tragic ways.
What unique ability does Smilla have?
A) Communicating with animals
B) Seeing the future
C) Understanding snow
D) Reading minds
- 2. What is the central event that drives the plot?
A) A snowstorm in Copenhagen
B) The death of a boy named Isaiah
C) A political scandal
D) An archaeological discovery
- 3. Where does Smilla primarily live?
A) Nuuk
B) Oslo
C) Reykjavik
D) Copenhagen
- 4. What does Smilla believe about Isaiah's death?
A) It was a natural death.
B) It was due to illness.
C) It was not an accident.
D) It was self-inflicted.
- 5. What is the significance of the setting in Greenland?
A) It's purely fictional.
B) It reflects Smilla's heritage.
C) It has no relevance.
D) It serves as a vacation spot.
- 6. What genre does 'Smilla's Sense of Snow' belong to?
A) Fantasy
B) Romance
C) Historical fiction
D) Thriller
- 7. What major social issue is explored in the book?
A) Colonialism and racism
B) Gender discrimination
C) Economic disparity
D) Environmental issues
- 8. What type of narrative style is used in the book?
A) Second-person
B) Third-person limited
C) First-person
D) Third-person omniscient
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