Woodland

Question 1

What is Lydia Millet known for?

Answer 1

Climate change activism and authorship of novels and short story collections

She has authored more than a dozen works and is a finalist for prestigious awards.

Question 2

When was Lydia Millet born?

Answer 2

December 5, 1968

Question 3

Where did Lydia Millet grow up?

Answer 3

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Question 4

Which university did Lydia Millet attend for her BA?

Answer 4

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Question 5

What degree did Lydia Millet obtain from Duke University?

Answer 5

Master’s degree in environmental policy

Question 6

What is the title of Lydia Millet’s first nonfiction work?

Answer 6

We Loved It All: A Memory Of Life

Question 7

What themes do Lydia Millet’s books explore?

Answer 7

Interconnectedness, community, and connections to nature

Question 8

What is the title of the short story published in Guernica?

Answer 8

Woodland

Question 9

In what year was ‘Woodland’ published?

Answer 9

2019

Question 10

What does the term ‘Cli-Fi’ refer to in the context of ‘Woodland’?

Answer 10

Climate fiction that explores global warming’s impact

Question 11

What is the main setting of ‘Woodland’?

Answer 11

A leisure facility that serves as a controlled environment for wealthy guests

Question 12

What do wealthy guests do in the story ‘Woodland’?

Answer 12

Pay to have wild animals released into a forest

Question 13

What does the title ‘Woodland’ imply about the story’s setting?

Answer 13

It is an ironic representation of a carefully managed artificial environment

Question 14

What contrasts the setting of the camp to that of Woodland?

Answer 14

The camp is desolate, dry, and brown, while Woodland is artificially lush

Question 15

Describe the narrator’s family situation in Woodland.

Answer 15

She lives with her parents and baby brother, Mo, in a harsh environment

Question 16

What metaphor describes the trees in the narrator’s camp?

Answer 16

Skeletons, the ghosts of cottonwoods and willows

Question 17

What do the narrator’s parents represent in the story?

Answer 17

They are compared to shadows of their former selves, lacking hope

Question 18

How does the narrator view her future job at Woodland?

Answer 18

As a chance to escape the desolate camp and provide hope for her brother

Question 19

What does the narrator’s hat symbolize?

Answer 19

A means to protect her skin and signify her desire to be attractive for job prospects

Question 20

What does the camp’s environment reveal about societal conditions?

Answer 20

It is dirty, dangerous, and full of class divisions

Question 21

What is the significance of the phrase ‘the trees are enough’?

Answer 21

It reflects a deep appreciation for nature amidst loss and despair

Question 22

What happens to the clients at Woodland over time?

Answer 22

Fewer clients visit, leading to reduced pay and increased danger

Question 23

What does the narrator do when the facility closes?

Answer 23

Stays behind to take over the cabin due to having nowhere else to go

Question 24

What is a key theme in the story ‘Woodland’?

Answer 24

Manufactured experiences and the disconnection from nature

Question 25

Fill in the blank: Lydia Millet was a finalist for the _______ Prize in 2010.

Answer 25

Pulitzer

Question 26

True or False: The story 'Woodland' presents a completely natural environment.

Answer 26

False

Question 27

What theme is supported by the narrator's memories of better days?

Answer 27

Nostalgia ## Footnote The theme of nostalgia is highlighted as the narrator reflects on her past experiences.

Question 28

What happens when the facility finally closes?

Answer 28

The narrator stays behind, taking over the cabin while Charlie moves to an A-frame a couple of miles away ## Footnote This signifies the isolation and challenges faced by the narrator after the closure.

Question 29

What challenges do the narrator and others face after the facility closes?

Answer 29

Gathering food and water, and their devices becoming useless ## Footnote Survival becomes a primary concern for the narrator and those who remain.

Question 30

How does the facility change after the clients leave?

Answer 30

It begins to mirror the camp ## Footnote The environment reflects the deteriorating state as the facility empties.

Question 31

What is the narrator's final reflection about Mo?

Answer 31

She wonders what it would have been like if he had lived ## Footnote This indicates the narrator's ongoing emotional connection and grief regarding Mo.

Question 32

What does the narrator see that she initially thinks is Mo?

Answer 32

A starving bear ## Footnote The bear represents loss and the destruction of the natural world.

Question 33

What does the bear symbolize in the story?

Answer 33

The destruction of the natural world ## Footnote The imagery of the bear reflects the environmental themes present in the narrative.

Question 34

What beautiful imagery is described in the final section of the story?

Answer 34

The sun paints the sky at dusk, clouds lit up pink and red over the trees ## Footnote This imagery serves to contrast the despair with a glimmer of hope.

Question 35

Fill in the blank: The ones who lasted trade for the items they need to _______.

Answer 35

exist ## Footnote This highlights the resourcefulness and survival instincts of the remaining characters.