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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. How is Trixie feeling?

2. How does Harry know Murphy is herself?

3. Who helps the person fight?

4. Why does Kincaid stop Murphy and Harry for getting near the hostages?

5. What does Harry see as one person begins fighting?

Short Essay Questions

1. How can Lara find Thomas and what shocks Harry about that?

2. Where are the children at the shelter, how are they being held and who can rescue them?

3. What clues Harry in to the fact that Murphy is not against him?

4. Where and with whom, does Harry go and what does he do when they first arrive there?

5. What does Trixie do with the gun she is carrying?

6. Describe the Deeps.

7. How is Trixie killed?

8. What does Harry offer Raith and how does Raith counter?

9. What does Harry see when he looks at Kincaid, what does he tell Murphy to reassure her and what do they hear from the dark?

10. What happens when Harry calls Raith House?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Blood Rites. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Butcher chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Butcher chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Butcher's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Butcher use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by Blood Rites. Questions that Butcher most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Butcher's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Butcher's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Butcher and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Blood Rites is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

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