Ernie's Ark stories

1. Trace the presence of the ark through the nine stories ofErnie's Ark. Does its meaning shift depending on the narrator or point-of-view character? Is the ark present even in a story in which it is never mentioned?2. What does the ark mean? Is Abbott Falls about to be swallowed up? Or is something more subtle at work in Monica Wood's imagery?3. Another presence in each story is Abbott Falls, of course. What is the role of place inErnie's Ark? How do you imagine the town? How is it different from your own? How the same? How does Abbott Falls shape the events of the book?4. What is the role of the mill in these stories? Is it the same role that that major employer plays in the town itself? Or does the mill take on literary dimensions, as well? Similarly, what is the role of the strike in these stories? Does it affect every character, or only a few? If there were no strike, how would the stories ofErnie's Arkbe different?5. How does Ernie's character shift from story to story? How are the perceptions of the various narrators and lead characters involved in our own perceptions as we read? How would the book be altered if each story were narrated from Ernie's point of view?6. Dan Little, the narrator of "The Temperature of Desire," starts out depressed. How is his depression tied up with the reality of life in Abbott Falls? Does anything happen in the story to change him?7. In "The Joy Business," we get ample indications that a lot more goes on in Abbott Falls than strikes and ark building. How does this story expand your vision of the town? How does it expand the scope of the book? What is the effect of its placement just so in the middle of the book?8. In "Visitors" we meet Ernie's son, James, and get a glimpse of a major sea change between generations. How is it possible that James's sense of life and possibilities could be so different from his father's? Or are the two men so different after all?9. Much of "Take Care Good Boy" transpires away from Abbott Falls, and away from Ernie and his ark. How does the story fit into the book as a whole? How does it expand the vision of the book?10. How does the character Francine grow and change from "Take Care Good Boy" to "Solidarity Is Not a Floor"? What is Ernie's effect on her? What is her effect on Ernie?11. Think ten years ahead for the characters ofErnie's Ark. Where do you think each will be? What will the town of Abbott Falls be like then? What current differences did you pick out among characters who you think will grow, characters who you think will stagnate, characters who you think will fail? If your group disagrees, what are the sources of your disagreement?12. Have a look at each story title in turn, and discuss the meaning of each in context of the story and in context of the whole book. For example, what exactly does the title "Solidarity Is Not a Floor" mean?13.Ernie's Arkis beautifully written. Have everyone in your group pick a passageperhaps a page or soto read aloud. Then see if you can articulate what exactly makes the passage sing.14. Monica Wood says that "At the Mercy" was a stretch for her to write, because its lead character is a successful and wellgrounded CEO. Is Henry John McCoy any less interesting as a character than Ernie himself? Do you find yourself interested in the problems of a CEO?15. The title story ofErnie's Arkends with Ernie and his wife "waiting foWood, Monica is the author of 'Ernie's Ark stories', published 2004 under ISBN 9780345477163 and ISBN 0345477162.