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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 does Mona say she will avoid?

2. What does Ash discover about the women of the Little People?

3. What do Marklin and Tommy believe about Yuri?

4. What does Rowan want Michael to do?

5. What repels some people about Mr. Ash?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rowan remember at the morgue and what does she think about the people who love her?

2. What happens when Ash meets Tessa?

3. What is Mona craving while pregnant, what does she fear and what does Mary Jane say about Mona's fears?

4. What does Yuri tell Ash when Ash arrives in London?

5. What does Mona have the habit of doing, and what does she tell Rowan?

6. Where does the woman in the Motherhouse take Ash, and what does he do there?

7. What does Ash say about humans' reaction to him?

8. What does Stuart say he realized about Tessa, what does Stuart say Tessa told him about Taltos, and why does he think she is a reincarnated being?

9. What does Ash do when he meets Stuart, how does Stuart respond and where do they go?

10. What does Ash ask Yuri to do and what does Ash tell Yuri he must not do?

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 Taltos. 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 Rice chooses the symbols she 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 Rice chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Rice'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 Rice 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

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Taltos.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Taltos. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Taltos. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Taltos and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Taltos is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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