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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. Who is Hal Simmons?

2. What does the new law enforcement file contain?

3. What is the systems theory?

4. How much does Billy Tuve want for the item?

5. About what does Joe ask Shorty?

Short Essay Questions

1. What seems to be a likely foreshadowing of a coming event?

2. What story does Shorty tell that is the motivation for the setting moving to the floor of the Grand Canyon?

3. What do you think is the main purpose of this short chapter?

4. How do the two characters introduced in Chapter 3 contrast with each other?

5. What does the telephone conversation between Bernie and Chee say about their relationship?

6. What allusion to the allegory of Cat story is contained in Chapter 13?

7. In a mystery, every sentence offers clues, either about the case or about the characters that are part of the case; what does the reader learn early on about Joe Leaphorn from one sentence?

8. Why do you think Fred Sherman, an ex-cop, is introduced as another "bad" guy?

9. How is a Caucasian woman from New York related to a case that takes place on Navajo lands in New Mexico?

10. At the beginning of Chapter 1, what is there that would clue the reader in on the possibility that this book will be based upon a flashback to an earlier date?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chandler and Plymale are the personification of greed and cruelty, as well as icons of the worst attributes of the white men who imposed their values on the peaceful Navajo and Hopi as seen in their conversation in chapter 4. Each character is a one-dimensional personification of a single human characteristic or passion. While this device might be criticized in other works, Hillerman does a good job of using it to support his theme of cultural contrast between western and Native American societies. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Discuss the literary technique of personification. How is it used? When is it appropriate? What is the purpose in general of personification? Do you find it to be an effective technique?

2. Show how Chandler and Plymale are personified. Does this hamper their being believable characters? Does either character ever break the boundaries of personification? How? When? Be specific.

3. What other characters could be considered personifications or archetypes? Consider both major and minor characters. Give examples and include why you think the personification is effective or not. Could Hillerman's point be made some other way?

Essay Topic 2

One of the overlying themes in this book and indeed most of Hillerman's books is the differences between White, Western culture and that of Native Americans. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Choose two of the following areas and compare and contrast the White, Western culture with the Native American culture: religion, nature, politics/government, marriage, death, war, gender roles.

2. Using the entire novel, write an essay on how you think Hillerman perceives Native American culture.

3. Using the entire novel, write an essay on how you think Hillerman perceives white, Western culture.

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 9, Chee is reflecting on his past, particularly upon his past romantic relationships. A story he things about concerns "Cat," a domesticated cat. The story about Cat might be considered an allegory. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. What is an allegory? What is the purpose of the Cat allegory?

2. Why do you think an author might use an allegory to express a concept or idea? Do you think the Cat allegory is effective?

3. Are there any other allegories in the novel? What about the story Sam Pinto tells in Chapter 1? Could this be an allegory about how the white man has ruined the environment?

(see the answer keys)

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