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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 belonged to the dog soldier organization of the Kiowa tribe?

2. What word does Set thinks best describes Grey's personality?

3. When does Grey think her mother and sister will come to like Set?

4. What does Lola Bourne do with her letter to Set?

5. What did the Kiowa call the rent they charged for use of Indian land?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is unusual about the death of Worcester Meat?

2. For what does Grey thank Lola Bourne?

3. How does Set respond to the hospital staff's diagnosis and explanations of his condition?

4. How does Set's art change as his personality begins to disintegrate?

5. Who becomes the maker of shields?

6. Why does each man of the Plains Indians look upon Tsoai first thing each morning?

7. How does Grey feel about herself during her pregnancy?

8. Why did the native people move south into the great plains?

9. What does Grey see of Set beyond his physical appearance?

10. Why does Dr. Merriman's knowledge of folklore, witchcraft, and medical mythology fail to impress Set?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Centaurs are mentioned in this story by Alais Sancerre and by Lola Bourne. Reread the passages about Set's art work using centaurs. What do you think they represent in this story? Support your idea with quotations and examples from the story.

Essay Topic 2

Grey's dialogues with Billy the Kid seem very different from her conversations in real life. Using examples, compare and contrast the Grey of her outlaw fantasies with the real girl. What do these differences tell you about her?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Momaday's use of time. For example, many Native American customs cause the reader to think of the past, but that thought will be jarred by the mention of a modern actor, car, or TV program. What point do you think the author is trying to make by using time in such fluid ways?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 661 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample