A.

Questions

1. Which details tell us that the three housemates got along well?

o They cooperated in household chores amicably, with Mr. Kavan cooking, Bird
washing dishes, and Mr. Buchan drying them. The shared responsibilities and lack of
complaints highlighted their harmonious living situation.

2. Why did the young man come to stay with Bird and the others?

o He was sent by Evans to work for his board after falling ill at a theological college.
However, he unexpectedly decided to stay permanently.

3. Why was having another mouth to feed a problem?

o Food supplies were already limited, and the young man had a ravenous appetite,
consuming much more than the others. This threatened their ability to sustain
themselves.

4. Which details in the story tell us that life in the mountains was very difficult?

o Harsh weather conditions, such as snowstorms and freezing temperatures, made

daily tasks challenging. They struggled to keep food supplies from freezing and had
limited resources like tea, sugar, and flour.

5. What did Bird say about comfort and happiness? What brought her comfort and
happiness?

o Bird remarked that very little was necessary for comfort or happiness. Activities like
baking, cleaning, writing letters, and taking walks in the natural surroundings
brought her joy.

6. What mistake did the young man make? How did Bird try to use it to teach him about
being less selfish?

o He ate a cake made with cayenne pepper, mistaking it for gingerbread, which caused
him discomfort. Bird used the incident to highlight his selfishness and encourage him
to contribute meaningfully.

7. What things was the young man interested in?

o He claimed to write poetry, played the harmonium, and talked about his supposed
skills with the lasso and knowledge of Western literature.

8. List Bird’s complaints about the young man and rank them from worst to least concerning.

o Complaints:

▪ His dishonesty and plagiarism (e.g., copying poetry).

▪ His selfishness and overconsumption of food.

▪ His incompetence in daily tasks like chopping wood or identifying cows.

▪ His failure to contribute meaningfully to the household.

o Ranking:
1. Dishonesty and plagiarism.

2. Selfishness and overconsumption.

3. Incompetence in tasks.

4. Lack of initiative.

9. What was unusual about Bird's situation? Provide evidence.

o Bird’s practical lifestyle was atypical for women of her time. She wore practical
clothes, rode frontwards rather than side-saddle, and performed physical labour. Her
life in the Rocky Mountains, living in harsh conditions and writing about her
experiences, was uncommon for women in the 19th century.

B. Reference to Context

1. I should think that few people in America have enjoyed their Thanksgiving dinner more.

o a. Where in America was the writer, and who was with her?

▪ The writer was in the Rocky Mountains, with Mr. Kavan and Mr. Buchan,
along with the newly arrived young man.

o b. What made the dinner so enjoyable?

▪ The efforts to prepare a special meal despite limited resources brought

satisfaction and joy. They shared venison steak, puddings, and potatoes.

o c. What feelings does the writer show in the description of the meal and the
sentence above?

▪ Bird expresses gratitude, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment for

creating a festive atmosphere in challenging circumstances.

2. This is all harmless, but the plagiarism and want of honour are disgusting, and quite out of
keeping with his intended profession.

o a. Who is being referred to in this statement?

▪ The young man staying with Bird and the others.

o b. What is his intended profession?

▪ He was studying theology to become a clergyman.

o c. What does he plagiarize, and why is that wrong?

▪ He plagiarizes poetry, including lines from "Paradise Lost" and other works.
This is wrong as it shows a lack of originality and integrity, which are
essential qualities for a clergyman.

C. Words and Meaning

 1. Find the opposites of these words on the first page of this text:

o Serenity ↔ Turmoil

o Singular ↔ Ordinary

2. Use the following expressions in sentences of your own:

o a. Ordinary: The painting was beautiful, but the frame was quite ordinary.

o b. Turmoil: The decision to relocate caused turmoil in the office.

o c. Calm: Despite the chaos around her, she remained calm and composed.

o d. Idle: The workers were idle due to the unexpected machinery breakdown.

D. Language

1. Add prepositions to the following, then use them in sentences of your own:

o a. Goes forth to

▪ He goes forth to explore the unknown.

o b. Came down from

▪ The snow came down from the mountains overnight.

o c. Sent up to

▪ They sent up supplies to the stranded hikers.

o d. Much amazed by

▪ She was much amazed by the intricate details of the painting.

o e. Laughing at

▪ They were laughing at his amusing stories.

2. Complete the following sentences:

o a. The reason for the woman’s annoyance was the fact that the young man
consumed their limited food supplies.

o b. It was her intention that she could teach the young man responsibility.

o c. She had already thought of the plan that would stretch their provisions.

o d. Her one great anxiety was the dwindling food supply.

DISCUSS AND WRITE:

1. The diary contains Bird's views. What do you think the two older men's views of this time
were? What do you think the young man's views of this time were?
Mr. Kavan’s Views:

Mr. Kavan likely saw this time as challenging but manageable before the arrival of the young man.
He appreciated the camaraderie and cooperation between himself, Bird, and Mr. Buchan. However,
the boy’s arrival disrupted this balance, introducing anxiety about food shortages and the strain on
resources. Mr. Kavan valued hard work and resourcefulness, so the young man’s lack of contribution
and insatiable appetite frustrated him. He might have viewed this period as a test of their endurance
and adaptability in harsh conditions.

Mr. Buchan’s Views:

Mr. Buchan likely approached this time with patience and a sense of duty. He seemed more tolerant
than Mr. Kavan and tried to teach the boy practical skills. However, the boy’s incompetence and self-
centred behaviour would have tested even his goodwill. Mr. Buchan might have seen the boy as a
source of unnecessary trouble but also found humour in his antics, such as the cayenne pepper
incident. For Mr. Buchan, this time was one of balancing practicality with maintaining harmony in
the group.

The Young Man’s Views:

The young man probably found this time extremely difficult and disillusioning. He arrived with
romantic notions of life in the mountains, expecting it to be an adventure or a place for personal
reflection. Instead, he faced relentless hunger, physical discomfort, and the disapproval of his
housemates. While he might have felt isolated and misunderstood, he also lacked the self-
awareness to realize how his actions affected the group. He likely viewed this time as both a
personal trial and an opportunity to assert his creativity, despite his lack of practical contributions.

2.

Diary Entry: Mr. Kavan (November 26th, 1873)

It’s been another long day, and the winter has tightened its grip on us. The snow and wind remind
me how unforgiving this life can be. Yet, we’ve managed well, the three of us—Bird, Mr. Buchan, and
myself. We share the work equally, and no one complains. I’ve grown used to this rhythm, hard as it
is.

But now there’s the boy. He arrived suddenly, uninvited, and it’s as if he’s turned our careful balance
on its head. "Another mouth to feed," I said when he walked through the door. I don’t think the
others fully grasp the seriousness of that yet. The supplies are already running low, and he eats like a
wolf. I’ve started taking smaller portions just to stretch things further, but it won’t be enough if this
keeps up.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and Bird is putting on a brave face. She’s even planning a feast, despite
our dwindling resources. I admire her spirit—she always finds a way to make life here bearable, even
beautiful. Still, I can’t help but feel uneasy. The boy’s presence looms over us like a shadow. How will
we manage if the storms worsen or the supplies run out?

Diary Entry: Mr. Buchan (November 28th, 1873)

This lad is a puzzle I can’t solve. He seems oblivious to the reality of our life here, as if he’s playing at
being a frontiersman. His hands are soft, his mind distracted, and his stomach insatiable. I’ve tried to
guide him, but he’s more interested in impressing us with his poetry and tales than in learning how
to survive.

Yesterday, I found him struggling to chop wood. After a few weak attempts, he gave up and
wandered back inside to play the harmonium, leaving me to finish the job. And the food! He’s like a
locust, devouring everything in sight. Bird is trying her best to stretch our supplies, but even her
patience is wearing thin.

Still, there are moments of humour. The cayenne pepper cake incident had us all laughing, even Bird,
who rarely lets her guard down. The boy’s eyes watered, and he coughed for an hour, yet he still
managed to ask for pudding afterward! I suppose we’ll manage, as we always do, but I can’t help
feeling that his presence will test us in ways we’ve yet to imagine.

Diary Entry: The Young Man (November 29th, 1873)

This place is harsher than I ever dreamed. The cold seeps into my bones, and the work... it’s endless.
I thought I’d come here to find peace and purpose, but all I’ve found is struggle. The others don’t
seem to like me much, though I don’t understand why. I’m doing my best to fit in, but it feels like
they’re always watching, judging.

Bird is the hardest to figure out. She’s sharp-tongued and doesn’t hesitate to call me out. Today, she
made it clear she wasn’t impressed with my poetry. I thought sharing my work might earn her
respect, but it only seemed to annoy her. And Mr. Kavan—he’s always frowning, as if I’m some great
burden. Even Mr. Buchan, who’s kinder, looks at me like I’m a problem to solve.

The truth is, I’m starving—always starving. Last night, I couldn’t help myself and ate half of Bird’s
cake. It was foolish, I know, but the hunger was unbearable. She caught me this morning and
scolded me. I felt like a child. Maybe I deserve it. Still, I wish they could see me as more than a
nuisance. I didn’t come here to be a burden; I came to find myself. Maybe, in time, they’ll
understand that.