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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. Why did Junior start to drink?
2. What is keeping Chess from sleeping?
3. What does David Walks Along say about the band?
4. Why does Robert need a particular woman on the reservation?
5. How do Betty and Veronica earn a living?
Short Essay Questions
1. What do Thomas and the two sisters do the night they find his father in the yard?
2. What happens to the band on the way to a venue not on an Indian Reservation and what surprises the band about the incident?
3. Why can't Chess sleep in the van due to Junior?
4. What does Thomas ask Chess about her church, what is her response and what story does he tell that starts her crying?
5. What does David Walks Along find when he returns to his office from the band rehearsal and what does the band do when they hear his news?
6. How does Lester end up with a broken nose during the game with the police?
7. What does Checkers tell Father Arnold when she visits him?
8. What does Thomas do after the show at Flathead?
9. What does the guitar do about Thomas singing to Chess, and what does Chess eventually do?
10. How does the band end up getting a name?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Choose one of the following to discuss:
1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Reservation Blues". 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 Alexie 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 Alexie chooses the metaphors he does?
3. Discuss Alexie's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Alexie 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).
Essay Topic 2
Although "Reservation Blues" did not end on a happy note, many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels do end on a happy note. Discuss the following:
1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?
2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Reservation Blues" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Reservation Blues" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.
3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?
4. How does the ending of Reservation Blues affect your perception of whether it is a good book or not? Would you have rather seen a more positive ending? Why do you think the author ended the book on a somewhat negative note?
Essay Topic 3
1. What is foreshadow? How many incidences of foreshadow are in "Reservation Blues"? How does foreshadow contribute to a book's suspense?
2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in "Reservation Blues" including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.
3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "Reservation Blues" and your own live to support your opinion.
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This section contains 1,183 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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