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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 do the beings chasing Harry do outside the building?

2. What gift does Harry's mother give him?

3. What happens to Thomas when Harry and Lara begin to fight?

4. What does Thomas say to Harry when Harry tells him about their mother?

5. What kind of injury does Inari receive during the fight?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Harry's mother tell him?

2. Where does Harry take the box and what happens there?

3. What does Genosa tell Harry about Giselle, what does Genosa ask Harry and what is Harry's response?

4. How does Harry kill the demon and what happens to it when he does kill it?

5. What happens when Harry returns to his office?

6. What is wrong with the two people in the dressing room and what does the ambulance attendant tell Harry?

7. What is Harry dodging when being chased and what do the demons do when he gets outside?

8. How is Thomas going to heal and what does Justine say to Harry?

9. What do Harry and Bob talk about when he gets home?

10. To what does Thomas agree and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by Blood Rites. Questions that Butcher most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Butcher's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Butcher's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Butcher and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Blood Rites. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Butcher chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Butcher chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Butcher's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Butcher use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

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