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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 Bernie order Joanna to do?

2. What is Chandler's reply?

3. What does the old shaman who lives on the side of the canyon claim?

4. Why does Bernie start exploring?

5. What does Joanna try to convince Chandler to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What could be a more sinister reason for Chandler giving Joanne back the arm bone of her father?

2. In Chapter 16, the reader learns more about the Hopi legend of the Skeleton Man, for which the book is named; what is this legend?

3. What might be the implications of Bernie and Chee's relationship from the way they are interacting at the end of Chapter 28?

4. What seems incongruous about Bernie avoiding looking at the shaman?

5. What so you think is the significance in the different responses to the shaman's body between that of Chandler and Joanna?

6. What does Chee find that probably points to future events?

7. What theme seems to come to fruition in this chapter?

8. Do you think the scene of Bernie finding the diamonds and arm is anti-climatic and why?

9. In Chapter 18, the Arizona death penalty is again mentioned as a reason to make a murder look accidental; does this seem like something a criminal would really be thinking?

10. Why do you think Chandler gives Joanne back the arm bone of her father?

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

In Chapter 6, Bernie reflects upon when Chee adopts a cat that had been abandoned in the wilds. This story seems to serve two purposes. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Name the two purposes this story showing how the story serves to fulfill the purposes. How effective is the story in fulfilling its purposes?

2. How does this story make you feel about Jim Chee? Explain fully.

3. How many white people would have done the same with the cat as Jim does? Do you think Hillerman is a bit harsh in implying that whites in general are not as sensitive towards the animal kingdom as Native Americans?

Essay Topic 3

The image of rain and storm clouds are prevalent throughout the story and ultimately play a big role at the climax of the story. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Search through the entire novel and enumerate all the references to rain and storms. Do you think earlier references clearly point to what happens in the flood?

2. What is ironic about the rain and Chandler. Explain.

3. Is the fact that nature hands out the final judgment on Chandler something native Americans would believe is just? Why or why not? What about how whites might perceive the situaion?

(see the answer keys)

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