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

Short Answer Questions

1. In Tom Black's second dream while in the juniper on Horse Mountain, thoughts of what go through his mind?

2. What does Tom not realize takes place whenever he is 'riding for the crowd' and as a killer?

3. Tom Black faces a crossroads following his Madison Square Garden rodeo ride; one that starts where?

4. Tom Black pushes himself beyond what is approved for his rehabilitation, causing Mary Redmond to be what?

5. The author, Hal Borland, symbolically compares Tom Black's multiple injuries and hospitalizations with what?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Blue Elk is an antagonist. He is a corrupted bridge linking the white and Ute worlds. Examine Blue Elk's responsibility for a significant amount of the misunderstanding and miscommunication between these two cultures. How does Blue Elk use his command of both languages to take advantage of the Ute Indians who do not speak English, and the white people who do not speak Ute? How does he exploit the greed of the white man? How does he exploit the Ute sense of justice and honesty? How is Blue Elk a twisted, unscrupulous variant of both the white man and the Ute Indian?

Essay Topic 2

Tom Black Bull has a difficult time making the transition into the white man's way at the reservation school. They attempt to turn Tom into a farmer by teaching him plowing skills. Why is this unsuccessful? What is Tom's view of the usefulness of plowing and planting skills?

Essay Topic 3

For a period in each of their lives, both George Black Bull and Tom are outlaws, but each is a different type of outlaw. George is an outlaw for killing a man. What are his reasons? What type of outlaw is Tom? Why does he do what he does? Compare and contrast the two.

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This section contains 400 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample