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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. What is Charlie supposed to take?

3. About what is Dixie Lee unhappy?

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

5. What does Dave find in Teton county?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Cletus now become a sympathetic character?

4. What happens when Darlene comes over to Dave's home and what is the outcome?

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

6. How does Mrs. Desmarteau receive Dave, and what does he learn?

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

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

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

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

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

Dreams play a significant role in BLACK CHERRY BLUES. Discuss the following:

1. How much (if any) do you think Dave's Cajun background contribute to his valuing his dreams?

2. Discuss Dave's three significant dreams and their interpretations.

3. Can Dave be taken seriously as a detective when he puts stock in such things as dreams? Why or why not.

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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