(a)
What genre of stories does Jenkins want the
narrator to write? Why?
(b) Does the narrator
like writing ghost stories? Support your answer with evidence from
the story.
(c) What makes Helen,
the ghost, and her other co-ghosts organize The Writer's Inspiration
Bureau?
(d) Why had Helen, the
ghost been helping the narrator write ghost stories? Why was she
going on strike? What condition did she place for providing continued
help?
(e) How does the ghost
undermine the narrator's faith in his ability to write ghost stories?
(f) Why does John want
the ghost to disappear before his wife appears on the scene? What
impression of his wife's character do you form from his words?
(g) Why does the
narrator hesitate to be a partner to Laura Hinkle during the Ouija
Board Party?
(h) What message does
the ghost convey to the group that had assembled in the narrator's
house? What is their reaction to the message?
(i) Do you agree with
the narrator calling the assembly of women "manipulators?"
Give reasons.
(j)
Why is John's wife angry? What does she decide to
do?
(k)
Why does John wish he were dead?
(l) When confronted by
Lavinia about his flirtations over the Ouija Board, John insists that
'the affair was quite above-board, I assure you, my love'. Bring out
the pun in John's statement.
(m) John's apprehensions
about his wife's reaction to her encounter with the ghost are
unfounded. Justify.