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What were your initial reactions to Ahab's Wife (the persona and the novel)?

    I thoroughly enjoyed Ahab's Wife. After reading only one or two chapters I anticipated that I would like the rest of the book, and have gladly found that my predication has come true. I was so captivated by Naslund's style of introducing descriptive imagery and important plot points that I have continued to underline compelling sentences as well as passages in the book. As well, I found her use of oftentimes archaic, traditional and unusual seafaring terminology to be a wonderful addition to the text' visual imagery.

How would you describe your relationship (with the character and the book)?

    Thus far in the reading I have found Una to be a very interesting character. I see it as being very likely, almost impossible, that a woman under her" conditions" would have been the intellectual equal if not superiors of men such as Kit and Giles. Although we yet to understand how Una came to be so intelligent and worldly beyond her years and experiences I sincerely doubt that it was because she just happened to be in the right places at the right time. However, I am very committed to seeing the character of Una throughout the novel.

In what ways do you see this novel operating as a finale for this course about choice?

   It seems very simple to how the novel serves as the final connecter, stepping-stone, call it what you will, between the initial introduction of the ideology of choice and it's implication to a "real" person's direct path in life. Clearly Una decides to leave the Lighthouse and her Aunt and Uncle, where she seemed to be quite comfortable, for a new life. So she therefore choose to actively seek out something better then she had before. As well, Una pre-meditates how she will implement her choice of boarding the Sussex when deciding her best method of disguise etc.