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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 Joe think is Joanna Craig's motivation?

2. What does Billy Tuve try to hock?

3. What does Tuve claim?

4. What are flyers offering?

5. Where is Sherman?

Short Essay Questions

1. The fact that Sherman survives the shooting by Joanna could have several implications; name one of them.

2. What about the difference between white and Native American culture does Hillerman seem to be again emphasizing. Why do you as a reader respond to this obvious stereotyping?

3. How does Joe illustrate his thoughts about events arising from a complex and often invisible series of causes and effects?

4. What besides Billy's brain injury could be a reason for his inability to give a date of his Kiva ritual?

5. How are Chandler and Plymale archetypes of the type of white man that imposed their way upon Native Americans?

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

7. Why do you think Hillerman stereotypes characters such as Chandler and Plymale, making them one-dimensional?

8. Do you think Louisa's condemnation of the modern pollution of ancient myths is totally logical?

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

10. What event is the starting point for what becomes known as the Skeleton Man case?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In Chapter 8, Billy Tuve is asked about his Kiva initiation rites, which he describes in the Hopi language to the other Hopi who is there, Cowboy Dashee, though even Cowboy cannot hear the entire story since he is of a different Kiva from Billy. 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. Research some common Native American rites or initiation ceremonies and describe them and give your thoughts about them.

2. What do you think is the purpose of secret societies which have initiation rites for those who want to be a part of the society? (consider such groups as the Free masons, Eastern Star, etc.). Describe one such group, their purpose, and how one becomes a member. Would you consider joining a secret society? Why?

3. How have secret societies influenced the way of life in the United States? (Consider such groups as the KKK, Black Panthers, the Communist party, etc.)

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of themes that run as a thread throughout the novel. 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. Trace the development of the theme that "events and things in the universe are ultimately connected" (as explained by Joe in chapter one): . Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis of the existing political situation during this novel.

2. Trace the development of the theme of greed. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis of the how the concept of duality manifest in character personalities and in the physical setting.

3. Trace the development of the theme of violence. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis as to why this theme is central to the novel's plot.

(see the answer keys)

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