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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. Fill in the following quote about books from Blue in Chapter VI: "Books are for people who cannot _________________."

2. According to Blue, what does Christmas represent?

3. According to Blue, what ruins the intellect of man?

4. How long does it take the narrator to get to the hospital to see Blue?

5. The sight of Blue in the hospital makes the narrator feel all of the following except:

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the narrator's response to Blue's death?

2. What does the Gothic symbolize for Blue?

3. How is Blue treated by his coworkers at the lumberyard?

4. Who are the "Spies of God?"

5. What is the vocation Blue found?

6. How does Blue end up in the hospital?

7. According to Blue, what is wrong with the written word?

8. How does Blue feel about those who read?

9. What is the narrator's vocation?

10. What values of Blue's do the eighth, ninth and tenth letters defend?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter VI, when Blue and the narrator reached dinner, the narrator worried aloud that Blue was too serious for the happiest person on earth. It turns out that Blue is frightened due to his happiness. Analyze Blue's thoughts on happiness. What scares Blue about his happiness? What is the cost of happiness? How does Blue think he will have to pay this?

Essay Topic 2

In Blue's story in Chapter III, people have become slaves to technology with only six people running the world. This provides insight into Blue's feelings about how humans interact with technology and his fear of becoming too dependent. Analyze Blue's attitudes on technology as revealed in his story in Chapter III. What is the positive impact technology has on people in Blue's story? What is the negative impact technology has on people in Blue's story?

Essay Topic 3

"Mr. Blue" can be described as a retelling of the story of St. Francis. How are St. Francis and Mr. Blue alike? How are St. Francis and Mr. Blue different? What role did religion play in the lives of both St. Francis and Mr. Blue? Would you agree or disagree that "Mr. Blue" is a retelling of the St. Francis story?

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This section contains 650 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample