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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 Joan say about Genosa?

2. What does the woman tell Harry about him and Thomas?

3. What will happen to the actors who came with Genosa from his former company?

4. What is special about the contents of a box to someone?

5. What is Harry told about Genosa when he is setting up a line to trace the curse?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Harry do when he first arrives on Genosa's set?

3. What does Harry tell Murphy he has learned about Thomas and what do he, Murphy and Kincaid discuss?

4. What is Harry helping to set up, what does he feel and what does he do immediately?

5. How is Murphy when Harry goes to see and and what do they discuss?

6. What do Harry and Murphy talk about on the phone concerning Genosa?

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

8. What does Harry find out as he is setting up lines at the set and what does Murphy say about it?

9. What does Harry find in the dressing room and what does he do immediately?

10. To what does Thomas agree and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Harry's mother tells him that she has prepared them both for this day and that they should watch out for each other. Harry's mother gives him a gift, explaining that it is insight. Harry accepts it. When he is out of the soul gaze Harry tells Thomas that their mother said that she loved them both. Harry has spent so much of his life alone that he is not sure how to react now that he has family. Part of him is still leery of letting Thomas too close, but the words spoken to him by his own mother have gone a long way to solidify the beginnings of a relationship for the two of them.

1. Discuss what you think Harry might be feeling and thinking when he finds out he has a brother. Use examples from your own life and Blood Rites to support your answer.

2. Do you think Harry is better off emotionally knowing what happened to his mother? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Blood Rites to support your answer.

3. Discuss, in depth, how you think Harry's life is going to change now that Thomas and the puppy is now living with him. Use examples from your own life and Blood Rites to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in Blood Rites. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in Blood Rites. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of change in Blood Rites. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with change? Why? What are some symbols of change? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid? Which situations seem most changed?

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Blood Rites help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Blood Rites? Why or why not?

3. Choose one specific incident in Blood Rites to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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