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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 arrives and beats Charlie unconscious?

2. Who arrives and has sex with Dave?

3. What did Darlene have shortly before her death?

4. Who does Dave see through binoculars?

5. Who does the man in Dave's house turn out to be?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dave learn when he is riding to the Reservation on their bus and how might that affect his feelings towards Darlene?

2. What event foreshadows a future event in the book?

3. What happens when Dave picks up Alafair at school and do you think the teacher and principal are justified in their response?

4. Why does Dave believe Darlene's life is in danger?

5. How is it obvious that Dave is starting to feel desperate?

6. What does Dave learn at the Blackfeet Reservation, and do you think the Chief is being as helpful as possible?

7. How does Dave respond both analytically and emotionally to Darlene's death?

8. Why does Dave go to the courthouse and what is the result?

9. What does Dave dream and what might the dream foreshadow?

10. What happens at the lake and what does this incident reinforce to the reader about Dave's personality?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The plot of a mystery/detective novel is part of what makes the book successful or not. Discuss the following:

1. What is the basic plot of BLACK CHERRY BLUES?

2. How successful is the author at making the plot believable?

3. How successful is the author at expressing the plot with believable characters and action?

4. Do you think most mystery/detective novels have the same basic plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

The two Native American murder victims are members of an organization called AIM (American Indian movement). Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly research and analyze AIM: include its goals, activities and effectiveness at obtaining its goals.

2. Analyze the incidents that took place at Wounded Knee in 1890 and 1973. How is AIM involved in the later incident? Was justice served?

3. Why is Clayton Desmarteau and his cousin killed? Does it have anything to do with their AIM activities? Explain fully. Were the two Native Americans justified in opposing Dio, Mapes and Vidrine?

Essay Topic 3

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of James Lee Burke.

2. What in Burke's background may have helped Burke in writing BLACK CHERRY BLUES? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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