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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 does Dave spend the majority of his time in his cell?

2. Who does Dixie Lee believe planted drugs in his car?

3. Why is Dixie Lee arrested?

4. What effectively ends Dixie Lee's career?

5. Who overhears Dave talking to the sheriff about the fire?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe and evaluate the character, Dixie Lee.

3. How does Dixie Lee try to pressure Dave into helping him about the conversation Dixie Lee overhears?

4. Why does the executive of Star Drilling Company have Dave thrown off the premises and what theme does this touch upon?

5. What do you think the package in Dave's mailbox means?

6. Why is Dave moved in the jail and what does that say about Dave as a person?

7. What is Darlene American Horse like and how does she seem to figure in to the storyline?

8. Why does it seem Dixie Lee is destined for jail and what does he decide to do about it?

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

When Darlene dies of an apparent suicide, Dave believes it is murder. Dave goes to a priest to talk about Darlene and her death. Discuss the following:

1. How important do you think Dave's Catholic religion is to him? Do you think the priest helps Dave deal with Darlene's death?

2. Do you think Dave's religious beliefs have any bearing on how he conducts his life? Explain fully.

3. Dave appears to be raising Alafair as a Catholic, even sending her to Catholic schools? Do you think children should attend parochial schools? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Dave takes the law into his own hands when he decides to beat up Mapes and Vidrine after receiving a letter threatening Alafair, Dave's daughter. Dave also takes the law into his own hands when in an earlier novel, he kills his wife's murderer. Later, Cletus does the same thing with Darlene's murderer. Discuss the following: Discuss the following:

1. When (or if) is it justified to mete out your own justice to someone who has wronged you or a loved one and broken the law in doing so.

2. What do you think it says about Dave's beliefs about the criminal justice system that he is his own judge and executioner? About Cletus's belief?

3. Do you think Dave's beliefs about the justice system influences his work as a police officer when he was one?

(see the answer keys)

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