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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 Annie beg of Dave?

2. For whom is Johnny Dartez working?

3. About what does Dave question Robin?

4. What happens when Dave turns his back on a man he is helping?

5. What happens to Jerry years earlier?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do Dave and Annie go when they dock their boat?

2. What do Dave and Annie witness as they are about to have lunch?

3. What happens to Dave in the bayou?

4. What are Dave and Annie doing when the novel opens?

5. What do Dave and Annie do with the young girl they name Alafair?

6. What does Dave learn when he sees Dautrieve the day after the bayou incident?

7. What do Dave and Annie tell Alafair about her mother and what do they do to help Alafair start healing emotionally?

8. Where does Dave go after a phone call from Batist?

9. Describe Minos P. Dautrieve.

10. What does Dave find out from Robin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 10, Romero calls Dave and says that he has cut a deal with Federal agents, except that Dave's refusal to come on board has stalled the process. Romero says that Dave must help him with the plea bargain or pay the consequences. Discuss the following:

1. What consequences do you think Romero has in mind?

2. Do you think it is wise and/or ethical for the government to cut a deal with Romero when he is threatening to commit another crime (i.e. the murder of Dave and/or a loved one of Dave's)?

3. Are plea bargains ethical in general? Fair? Necessary? What alternatives are there to plea bargains?

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of James Lee Burke.

2. What in Burke's background may have helped Burke in writing HEAVEN'S PRISONERS? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

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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