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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 Thomas suggest as a name for the band?

2. Why does Robert need a particular woman on the reservation?

3. How was Junior's parents killed?

4. What happens when the band arrives for its first gig?

5. What does Chess say about the city of Seattle?

Short Essay Questions

1. What surprises Thomas about Victor and Junior's music, who comes to listen to the band rehearse, what kind of music do they expect and what does the band actually play?

2. What do Thomas and the two sisters do the night they find his father in the yard?

3. Why can't Chess sleep in the van due to Junior?

4. How does the band end up getting a name?

5. How does Checkers end up getting injured at Thomas' house?

6. How did Victor and Junior begin drinking and what is Thomas's drinking history?

7. What does Victor dream about that involves his mother and his stepfather?

8. 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?

9. What does Chess ask Thomas about religion and how does Thomas respond?

10. What does the man who Thomas meets at an intersection on the reservation first say to Thomas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes "Reservation Blues" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Thomas. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Chess. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Junior. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Reservation Blues". 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 "Reservation Blues". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "Reservation Blues". Consider not only Junior's suicide but the death of the band's dreams and Father Arnold leaving the priesthood.

(see the answer keys)

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