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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. What does Dave write in a letter to Dio?

2. Who arrives and has sex with Dave?

3. What does Dave do while sleeping?

4. Who confronts Dio at the lake?

5. Who is with Alafair when Dave picks her up at school?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Dave's lawyer feeling about Dave's case and why?

2. What does Dave learn about Mapes and what does this information tell the reader about the man?

3. What does Tess Reagan tell Dave and do you think is response is ethical?

4. What could be possible reasons that Dave seems to be a bit of a hothead?

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

6. How does Cletus now become a sympathetic character?

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

8. What does Dio want when he calls Dave, and what is Dave's response?

9. What happens that seems to indicate that Dixie Lee may finally be getting his life back on track?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dave is beginning to feel desperate by Chapter 10, thinking he will have to go on the run if he does not prove his innocence. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Dave would be smart to go on the run rather than stand trial if he cannot prove his innocence?

2. Do you think that Dave would have more success as an outlaw than most because of his cop background? Why or why not?

3. Would it be fair to subject Alafair of a life as a fugitive?

Essay Topic 2

Dave is treated as an outsider by many of those at the Blackfeet Reservation and by Mrs. Desmarteau. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Dave is treated like an outsider?

2. Do you think most non-reservation people would find it difficult to elicit information on an Indian reservation? Why or why not?

3. Do you think if Dave had been Native American, even if not of the Blackfeet tribe, he would have been treated differently?

4. Why is it that most people view with suspicion those who are different from themselves? What is missed by this attitude? What is gained?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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