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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. What does Russell not believe?

2. What city is described as a pueblo with a few adobes, a church a few stores and cantinas?

3. Who is missing when Russell wakes the next morning?

4. What does Russell find in the cave?

5. What does Bell say is obvious?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Russell and Francisco doing in the mountains, and why does Francisco anger Russell?

2. What do the voices say about Russell?

3. Who arrives at the party unexpectedly and how does he make Sean jealous?

4. Why is Eileen distraught when she and Juan get to the gold?

5. What happens to Russell after he leaves the cave?

6. What occurs when Eileen and Sean stop at a local merchant's store?

7. Why does Eileen apologize to Juan?

8. Why does Sean waken Mariana while they are on the trail and what does he tell her?

9. What does Sean say to Wooston and Machado and what are their responses?

10. What noises do Wooston's men hear and why do they decide to wait until morning to confront Sean's group?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Answer one of the following in an essay:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "The Californios". 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 L'Amour chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in "The Californios". 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 L'Amour chooses the metaphors he does?

3. Discuss L'Amour's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does L'Amour 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

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "The Californios" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if "The Californios" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written as serious literary fiction versus fiction that is solely written for entertainment? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "The Californios" a successful novel? What about those in academe?

(see the answer keys)

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