The Notebook

Summary

The Notebook is a contemporary love story set in the pre- and post-World War II era. Noah and Allie spend a wonderful summer together, but her family and the socio-economic realities of the time prevent them from being together. Although Noah attempts to keep in contact with Allie after they are forced to separate, his letters go unanswered. Eventually, Noah professes his undying and eternal love in one final letter. Noah travels north to find gainful employment and to escape the ghost of Allie, and eventually he goes off to war. After serving his country, he returns home to restore an old farmhouse. A newspaper article about his endeavor catches Allie's eye, and 14 years after she last saw Noah, Allie returns to him. The only problem is she is engaged to another man. After spending two wonderful reunion days together, Allie must decide between the two men that she loves.

Full Glossary for "The Notebook"

Alzheimer's a progressive form of dementia that begins with gradual memory loss and eventually leads to complete helplessness

blue-chip stock stocks of high-quality, financially-sound corporations; the term suggests a safe investment

Bourbon whiskey distilled from a mash of primarily corn but also malt, and rye

Browning Robert Browning, a famous British poet of the Victor-ian era

Caste system social structure where class is determined by heredity

Chasm literally a gorge; metaphorically a gap; used here to indicate the emotional distance between Allie and others

Dylan Thomas British poet of the early modern period

Elayn perhaps a reference to artist Elayn Kuehler, a Romantic Realist, or perhaps an amalgam of artists

Eliot T.S. Eliot. Famous British poet of the modern era

Everglades a swampy yet partially forested region in southern Florida

Gnomes fabled race of dwarflike creatures

John Wayne famous American actor, star of westerns, known as "Duke"

Leaves of Grass a famous collection of poems by Walt Whitman

Liquidated converted into cash

listless indifferent, spiritless

Mozart Amadeus Mozart, famous and prolific Austrian composer

Mullet a cylindrical, gray fish, also known as a goatfish

Orion, Big Dipper, Gemini constellations, or various groups of stars, that are identified by the shape of their grouping

Osprey a large hawk, also known as a fish hawk

Pole Star the brightest star and handle of the Little Dipper constellation

Tennyson Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Famous British poet of the Victorian era

Vanna's a reference to Vanna White, the hostess for the TV game show Wheel of Fortune

Walt Whitman American poet noted for his unconventional use of meter and rhyme

Character Map

 

 Discussion questions
 

1. At one point in the novel, Gus says to Noah, "My daddy used to tell me 'the first time you fall in love, it changes your life forever, and no matter how hard you try, the feelin' never goes away.' This girl you been tellin' me about was your first love. And no matter what you do, she'll stay with you forever." Do you think this is true? Can you remember your first love?

2. The restored house Noah lives in plays an integral role in the novel. In fact, an article about the restoration is what draws Allie back to New Bern. What do you think the house represents? What does this say about the importance of place? Does Noah restore anything else in the novel?

3. When Allie decides to come down to see Noah, "one last time," do you think she wanted to see him just to say good-bye, or was she secretly hoping to fall in love with him again? Was it right for Allie, who had already agreed to marry Lon, to make this visit? Would your answer be different if she were already married?

4. When asked by her mother, Allie claims to be in love with both Noah and Lon. Do you think this is true? While it is possible to love more than one person equally, is it possible to be in love with two people at the same time?

5. Allie's mother regrets having hidden Noah's letters to Allie for so many years. Why does Allie's mother change her mind, especially when Allie's wedding is less than three weeks away? Can you understand Allie's mother's motivation for hiding the letters in the first place? As a parent, wasn't she responsible for watching out for her daughter?

6. Were you at all surprised when it is revealed that Allie had decided to marry Noah, or was there never any question in your mind?

7. Noah and Allie's love for each other at the end of the novel seems as pure and as powerful as it was in the beginning. Is it possible for the intensity of first love to last that long? Is it unrealistic to expect it to?

8. Although he's not in the best shape himself, Noah goes to Allie's bedside and reads "The Notebook" to her every day. As a result, Allie is in much better shape than the other Alzheimer's patients. Do you think this is plausible? Is her stable health a result of her hearing the story of her life every day, or are greater forces at work? What does Noah's devotion suggest about marriage? About the nature of love itself?

9. The letters Noah and Allie write to each other, the poems they share, "The Notebook" Noah reads to Allie every day, are all integral parts of this novel. And during World War II, a book of poetry actually saves Noah's life. What does this suggest about the power of the written word? Why is this power such an important part of the novel?

10. This novel has been a best-seller not only in America, but also around the world. Why do you think this is? What is it about the book that speaks to such a broad range of people?

 

The Notebook |  Quiz

1)

In "Reunion" what does Noah realize has happened during dinner with Allie? (from Reunion, Phone Calls)

-Noah and Allie connect on a deeper level.

-Noah has forgotten about his troubles.

-Allie has admitted her feelings for Noah.

-He has fallen in love with her again.

2)

What does Allie find hidden under her pillow at the nursing home? (from Winter for Two)

-A candy.

-A poem.

-A coin.

-A letter.

3)

What wakes Allie at the beginning of "Kayaks and Forgotten Dreams"? (from Kayaks and Forgotten Dreams, Moving Water, Swans and Storms)

-Starlings.

-A loud thud.

-Thunder.

-Noah.

4)

What did Allie's mother tell Lon about her relationship with Noah? (from Reunion, Phone Calls)

-That it was a blip.

-That it was powerful.

-That it was Allie's first love.

-That it was puppy love.

5)

In "Kayaks and Forgotten Dreams," how long has it been since Allie last visited an art gallery? (from Kayaks and Forgotten Dreams, Moving Water, Swans and Storms)

-One year.

-Ten years.

-Three years.

-Five years.

6)

How does Allie feel about being nude in Noah's bedroom? (from Kayaks and Forgotten Dreams, Moving Water, Swans and Storms)

-Awkward.

-A little thrilled.

-Self-concious.

-Cold.

7)

What does Noah give to Allie in the nursing home garden? (from Winter for Two)

-A candy.

-A book.

-A letter.

-A bouquet.

8)

Whose music plays in Allie's room at the nursing home? (from Winter for Two)

-Frank Sinatra's.

-Bing Crosby's.

-Glenn Miller's.

-Duke Ellington's.

9)

What does Allie know about her future with Lon? (from Kayaks and Forgotten Dreams, Moving Water, Swans and Storms)

-That they will grow to love each other more.

-That they will have a big family.

-That he will never hurt her.

-That there would be no surprises.

10)

What has Allie slept in at the beginning of "Kayaks and Forgotten Dreams"? (from Kayaks and Forgotten Dreams, Moving Water, Swans and Storms)

-A housecoat.

-Her clothes from the day before.

-Noah's old shirt.

-Flannel pajamas.

11)

What does Allie get out of her glove compartment? (from Courtrooms; An Unexpected Visitor; Crossroads; A Letter from Yesterday)

-A tube of lipstick.

-Her engagement ring.

-A map.

-A mirror and brush.

12)

Who told Allie they weren't surprised that Noah never sent her any letters? (from Kayaks and Forgotten Dreams, Moving Water, Swans and Storms)

-Allie's best friend.

-Lon.

-Allie's mother.

-Allie's father.

13)

What is the one night a week Allie regularly sees Lon? (from Kayaks and Forgotten Dreams, Moving Water, Swans and Storms)

-Friday.

-Wednesday.

-Monday.

-Saturday.

14)

What does Noah tell Allie his name is in "Winter for Two"? (from Winter for Two)

-Duke.

-Jimmy.

-Carey.

-Clark.

15)

How long have Allie and Lon dated for? (from Reunion, Phone Calls)

-Two years.

-Three years.

-One year.

-Four years.

16)

What does Noah want to do as Allie drives away to meet Lon? (from Courtrooms; An Unexpected Visitor; Crossroads; A Letter from Yesterday)

-Scream for her to stay.

-Forget he ever met her.

-Chop down the oak tree.

-Chase after her in his truck.

17)

How many living children do Noah and Allie have in "Winter for Two"? (from Winter for Two)

-Four.

-Three.

-Five.

-Two.

18)

What does Noah hear immediately after he says "It's your mother"? (from Courtrooms; An Unexpected Visitor; Crossroads; A Letter from Yesterday)

-Clem barking.

-A car horn.

-Breaking glass.

-A gasp.

19)

What does Noah call "just an illusion" in "Winter for Two"? (from Winter for Two)

-Death.

-Dusk.

-Love.

-Pain.

20)

What is waiting for Allie and Noah when they return to her room at the nursing home in "Winter for Two"? (from Winter for Two)

-A cake.

-A candlelit dinner.

-Their children.

-Their mail.

21)

What does Noah say he remembers most about the summer he and Allie spent together when they were younger? (from Kayaks and Forgotten Dreams, Moving Water, Swans and Storms)

-The first time they kissed.

-When he told Allie that he loves her.

-Their last day together.

-All of it.

22)

How does Noah describe Allie's mother? (from Courtrooms; An Unexpected Visitor; Crossroads; A Letter from Yesterday)

-As a strong woman.

-As a strange woman.

-As an admirable woman.

-As a manipulative woman.

23)

What does Allie say she remembers most about the summer she and Noah spent together when they were younger? (from Kayaks and Forgotten Dreams, Moving Water, Swans and Storms)

-Kissing.

-Laughing.

-Making love.

-Fighting.

24)

Who does Allie remind Noah of as she drives away to see Lon? (from Courtrooms; An Unexpected Visitor; Crossroads; A Letter from Yesterday)

-Allie as a teenager.

-A wounded animal.

-Her mother.

-His mother.

25)

What does Allie think comes first in Lon's life? (from Reunion, Phone Calls)

-Work.

-Money.

-Love.

-Status.

Film Quiz

Question 1: What character does Rachel McAdams play?
	-Rose
	-Samantha
	-Abby
	-Allie
	-Kate

Question 2: What color shutters did she want to have?
	-pink
	-blue
	-yellow
	-white
	-purple

Question 3: Who did Ryan Gosling play in the movie?
	-Pete
	-Bill
	-Rider
	-Joshua
	-Noah

Question 4: Who was Noah´s best friend?
	-Fin
	-Peter
	-Bob
	-James
	-Chris

Question 5: What was Allie´s mother´s name?
	-Beatrice
	-Heather
	-Allison
	-Anne
	-Joyce

Question 6: Why was Allie´s mother appalled at the idea of her daughter dating Noah?
	-Because he didn´t love Allie.
	-Because he was deaf.
	-Because he barely made any money.
	-Because he was blind.

Question 7: Why did Allie visit Noah after they broke up.
	-He visited her.
	-She heard he invented a new kind of chocolate.
	-She saw his picture in the newspaper.
	-She wanted to buy the house.
	-He had left her a message telling her to visit him.

Question 8: How does Noah´s friend die?
	-He fell off the house trying to help Noah restore it.
	-He drowned in the lake swimming with Noah.
	-He got killed in the war.
	-He didn´t die.
	-He killed himself.

Question 9: Who was Allie engaged with?
	-Bill
	-Ron
	-Lon
	-Pete
	-Noah

Question 10: Who did Allie pick in the end?
	-Jack
	-Noah
	-Peter
	-Fin
	-Lon