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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Tex?

2. For whom does Dan Nygurski work?

3. Who does Dave ask about having some "company" that night in the motel room?

4. Which one of the following shares a cell with Dave?

5. Who is Batist?

Short Essay Questions

1. What horrific event has happened not to long ago to Dave and how is he handling it?

2. What does Dave do to get himself thrown off Dio's property and is this a pattern of Dave's?

3. What evidence is there that Purcel is still on the wrong side of the law?

4. What do you think the package in Dave's mailbox means?

5. Describe and evaluate the character, Dixie Lee.

6. Do you think Dave's wife is actually coming to him in a dream or it is Dave just reminding himself to go to AA?

7. Who are Dave's cell mates and why is he placed in this cell?

8. How does Dixie Lee try to pressure Dave into helping him about the conversation Dixie Lee overhears?

9. Why is Dave moved in the jail and what does that say about Dave as a person?

10. How does Dave accidentally alert Mapes and Vidrine that he is looking into the fire at Dixie Lee's place? Why do you think the Sheriff allows this to happen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of violence.

2. Trace and analyze the theme of murder.

3. Trace and analyze the theme of greed.

Essay Topic 2

Dave is treated as an outsider by many of those at the Blackfeet Reservation and by Mrs. Desmarteau. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Dave is treated like an outsider?

2. Do you think most non-reservation people would find it difficult to elicit information on an Indian reservation? Why or why not?

3. Do you think if Dave had been Native American, even if not of the Blackfeet tribe, he would have been treated differently?

4. Why is it that most people view with suspicion those who are different from themselves? What is missed by this attitude? What is gained?

Essay Topic 3

Both Dave and Dixie Lee have and/or have had a problem with alcohol. Discuss the following:

1. What constitutes being an alcoholic? What is AA? Why do you think Dave's wife "reminds" him in a dream to attend AA?

2. The twelfth step of AA is one of carrying the AA message to other alcoholics. Do you think Dave's agreement to allow Dixie Lee into his home under strict guidelines is partially a result of the concept of reaching out to other alcoholics?

3. Why do you think James Lee Burke chooses to have his primary protagonist be an alcoholic and attending AA meetings?

(see the answer keys)

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