CHARACTER ANALYSIS
What is Sven Olsen's job in the space station?
Answer: B. Construction worker
What is the setting of this story?
Answer: B. A space station
What does "intercom" (paragraph 4) most likely mean?
Answer: A. A communication system
Based on the story, why did early spacers tend to be small in size?
Answer: B. To qualify for a weight bonus
What literary device is used in "half a million dollars' worth of chemical and electronic engineering had let us down completely"?
Answer: A. Personification
Why did Sven bring Claribel to the space station?
Answer: B. Out of scientific curiosity
Which narrative point of view is used in "Feathered Friend"?
Answer: B. First-person
In paragraph 9, what does "VIPs" stand for?
Answer: C. Very Important Persons
What evidence suggests that having pets in space stations was unusual?
Answer: B. The crew hiding Claribel from visitors
What is the author's purpose in describing Claribel's movements in zero gravity?
Answer: B. To help readers visualize life in space
Describe two physical characteristics of Sven Olsen mentioned in the story.
Answer: Sven is described as a "wiry little fellow" who qualified for the "150-pound bonus," rather than being the stereotypical "six-foot-six Nordic giant" that his name might suggest.
Identify the climax of the story and explain why this moment is significant.
Answer: The climax occurs when the narrator realizes that something is wrong with the air system and that Claribel's collapse is a warning. This moment is significant because it reveals the danger the crew is in and shows how Claribel inadvertently saved their lives.
In paragraph 15, "apologetically" suggests that Jock Duncan feels:
Answer: B. Sorry
What clues in the text suggest that the story takes place during early space exploration?
Answer: Clues include the mention of a "150-pound bonus" indicating weight restrictions, the incomplete safety systems (the second alarm circuit wasn't connected), and the narrator's comment about "who would dream of looking for a canary in a space station" suggesting space stations were novel. The background note also places the story in the 1950s during early space exploration.
How does the author build suspense when Claribel falls ill?
Answer: The author builds suspense by first showing Sven's distress, then describing the crew's attempts to revive Claribel with oxygen. When she briefly recovers and then "keels over again," tension increases. The narrator's sluggish thinking and gradual realization creates further suspense as readers begin to understand the danger before the characters do. The sequence of events leads to the dramatic moment when the narrator connects Claribel's condition to the miners' canaries, revealing the life-threatening situation.
How does the narrator's attitude toward Claribel change throughout the story?
Answer: At first, the narrator is surprised and confused when encountering Claribel. Later, the narrator becomes fond of her, referring to her as a "general pet." By the end, the narrator is grateful to Claribel for saving their lives.
Which theme is BEST supported by the story's conclusion?
Answer: C. Nature and technology can work together
Explain the meaning of the phrase "pipe of peace" in paragraph 22 and why the oxygen bottle is compared to this.
Answer: A "pipe of peace" refers to a ceremonial pipe passed among participants to seal peace agreements, especially in Native American traditions. The oxygen bottle is compared to this because the crew members are passing it around to share amongst themselves while they discuss the situation, similar to how a peace pipe would be shared in a circle during important conversations.
Based on text evidence, explain why Claribel was particularly well-suited as a pet in space.
Answer: According to the text, Claribel was well-suited because she "weighed practically nothing," had "tiny" food requirements, and most importantly, "was not worried, as most animals would have been, by the absence of gravity." She quickly adapted to moving in zero gravity and could maneuver with "a few leisurely flicks" of her wings, doing movements like "a backward loop" that earthbound canaries couldn't perform.
Analyze how the author uses contrasts in the story to develop ideas about space exploration.
Answer: The author contrasts expected versus reality (Sven's physical appearance), Earth versus space (construction work in different environments), technology versus nature (sophisticated systems versus a simple canary), and human expectations versus actual outcomes (assuming safety systems work versus their failure). These contrasts highlight the uniqueness of space environments, the adaptation required, and how both high-tech and natural solutions are valuable in space exploration. The contrast between the high cost of safety equipment and the free protection provided by Claribel also emphasizes unexpected solutions in space.
Analyze how Sven's relationship with Claribel reveals aspects of his character.
Answer: Sven's relationship with Claribel shows his curiosity, care, and emotional attachment. He brings her aboard partly for scientific reasons but develops a personal connection, showing distress when she's ill. His willingness to break rules by smuggling her aboard reveals his independent nature and determination.
Compare and contrast how both technology and nature function as protective elements in the story.
Answer: Technology provides protection through complex systems like air purifiers and alarm circuits, but fails due to an eclipse and system malfunction. Nature, represented by Claribel, provides protection through the canary's natural sensitivity to air quality. While technology is engineered but fallible, Claribel's natural biological response serves as a simple but effective backup system. The story suggests that the best protection comes from combining technological systems with natural safeguards.
In paragraph 24, what does the narrator mean by "we'd soon have been slightly dead"? Analyze the author's word choice and tone in this phrase.
Answer: The phrase "slightly dead" is an oxymoron that uses understatement and dry humor to describe the serious situation. Death is binary—one is either dead or alive—so "slightly dead" creates irony. This dark humor reflects the narrator's matter-of-fact attitude toward the dangers of space and creates a contrast between the casual tone and the life-threatening situation they narrowly avoided.
What can you infer about the relationship between technology and human survival in space based on the events in the story?
Answer: The story implies that despite advanced technology, human survival in space is precarious and dependent on multiple backup systems. When sophisticated air purifiers and alarm systems failed, a simple canary detected the danger. This suggests that even with cutting-edge technology, basic biological systems remain valuable. The story also implies that human ingenuity—like Sven bringing Claribel aboard—sometimes provides unexpected solutions to space survival challenges. While technology creates the possibility of space habitation, its fallibility requires constant vigilance and adaptability.
How does Arthur C. Clarke blend scientific knowledge with storytelling techniques in "Feathered Friend," and what effect does this create for the reader?
Answer: Clarke blends scientific knowledge and storytelling by incorporating accurate physics principles (zero gravity, air purification systems) while using literary techniques like characterization, humor, and suspense. He explains technical concepts through story events rather than exposition (showing how birds move in zero gravity rather than explaining the physics). This blend makes scientific concepts accessible and engaging while maintaining narrative momentum. Clarke's casual, conversational narrator grounds fantastical elements in relatable human experiences. By combining scientific plausibility with engaging narrative, Clarke creates a story that entertains while subtly educating readers about space environments, fostering wonder about space exploration that was particularly relevant during the "Golden Age of Science Fiction" mentioned in the introduction.