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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 has two non-Spokane Indians as its members?

2. What is Coyote Springs supposed to do after practicing for a week?

3. Who does Big Mom convince to come with her to comfort the band?

4. What does Checkers want to do?

5. What does Big Mom say Robert Johnson was meant to be?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Thomas and Chess talk about regarding fame?

2. What are Victor and Junior doing while Thomas and Chess are at the hotel?

3. What does Johnson convince Big Mom to do and what does she give him? Why does she give him it?

4. What does the band do mostly in Chapter Six and why?

5. What happens at Junior's funeral?

6. What does Chess tell Checkers she and Thomas are going to do, what does she ask Checkers and what does Checkers ask Chess?

7. What does Checkers find when she sneaks out of Thomas' house and goes to the church?

8. How does Victor see Junior again and what does he do when he sees Junior?

9. How do the members of the band feel when they first see Big Mom and what does she tell Victor?

10. What happens to Thomas in church and what does he decide needs done?

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

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,151 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample