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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. At the deserted bookstore, what is the only thing on the shelves?

2. Does Kidd seem to sincerely care about Lanya?

3. What does Lanya choose to do for Kidd?

4. What primarily makes up this chapter?

5. Why are people asking questions about Kidd?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Edward probably frightened to leave Bellona?

2. Is Kidd jealous of Denny's time with Lanya?

3. Why does Lanya get fed up with Kidd and choose to leave?

4. Why is this chapter difficult to understand?

5. All of the residents are wondering what is happening in the sky. How do they work to find a solution?

6. Why does June try to go to her brother for help?

7. Why are the scorpions moving again?

8. As Chapter 5 opens, what is Kidd wondering?

9. How does Kidd finally feel when he attempts to write a new poem?

10. Why do Edward and Kidd both decide to join the scorpions?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Delany's Dhalgren is thought to be one of the best Science Fiction books of the 1970s and 1980s. Consider what thematic elements classify this book as Science Fiction.

1. How does this book differ from others in the Science Fiction genre?

2. What classifies a book as Science Fiction? How does this book seem to fall short of some of these criteria?

Essay Topic 2

It has been said that Bellona is actually Harlem in the 1970s, where Delany grew up.

Compare the trapped, scared survivalist emotions the residents of Bellona have to those of the poor, African Americans in 1970's Harlem.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the girl from the woods.

What does the girl from the woods and the beginning of the story symbolize to Kidd?

Furthermore, what does this symbolize as a story arc for several of Delany's books? (Extra Credit question).

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 606 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample