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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 Darlene tell Dave?

2. What is the name American Horse?

3. Why is Cletus Purcel not intimate with his girlfriend?

4. Who does Dave visit the morning after Darlene's death?

5. What is Charlie supposed to take?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why do you think Darlene goes over and takes care of Dave when he is ill?

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

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

6. How does Cletus save Dave's wife and do you think he and Dave are more alike than first seemed?

7. Is Dave's response to Cletus taking Charlie out of the house ethical?

8. What does the Coroner tell Dave and how does Dave know Darlene was probably raped before being murdered?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In most fiction, readers would like all the loose ends to be neatly "tied up." Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Black Cherry Blues is successful as a detective novel? Why or why not.

2. What about this book would motivate you to read another of James Lee Burke's Robicheaux series? What would discourage you from doing so?

3. Were all the "loose ends" satisfactorily settle for you? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Dave seems to be a bit of a hothead considering some of his run-ins with others. Discuss the following:

1. Describe and analyze three of Dave's run-ins with other people. Could Dave have handled them some other way that would have been more effective in getting what he wanted?

2. What do these run-ins say about Dave's personality?

3. There is a platitude that says "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." How do you think Dave could learn from this saying?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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