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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. Why does Dixie Lee visit Dave?

2. What do a used hypodermic needle, a picture of a headless Vietnamese girl, and a letter threatening Alafair have in common?

3. How is Dixie Lee injured?

4. What does the person in Dave's dream tell him?

5. What does Dave do about Alafair's schooling?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Dave the day after his encounter with Mapes and Vidrine and do you think he is a responsible parent in that incident?

2. How do we get a little hint of Dave Robicheaux's fathering abilities?

3. 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?

4. What is Alafair's reaction to Dave's decision and do you think Dave handles the situation wisely?

5. What is Dave remembering at the end of this chapter and how might that memory influence him to some sort of action?

6. What does Dixie Lee do that is perhaps a typical manipulative action of an alcoholic?

7. How does Dave spend his time in jail?

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

9. What is Sally Dio like and what is his connection to Dixie Lee?

10. Describe Cletus Purcel.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Dave Robicheaux is the main character in a number of mystery novels by James Lee Burke. One of the most interesting things about Robicheaux is his Cajun background. It is therefore, useful to understand a little of Cajun culture. Discuss the following:

1. Who are the Cajuns? In what area of the United States do they reside? Who are several famous "real-life" Cajuns?

2. Describe some of the major aspects of the Cajun culture.

3. What about Dave Robicheaux reveals his Cajun heritage?

4. Why do you think James Lee Burke chooses to make his primary protagonist Cajun?

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel.

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel.

3. Discuss James Lee Burke's use (or lack ) of literary techniques and how they add or detract from the story and whether he uses too many or too little literary techniques.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,150 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample