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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. Where does Kay have lunch with her mother?

2. How old was Coleman when he died?

3. What does Carriscant think of his marriage?

4. What is apparent when Carriscant visits Pantaleon's house?

5. What does Carriscant think about sex in his marriage?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Carriscant say about his parentage?

2. What is Pantaleon building inside his barn?

3. What does Meyersen say about Kay's home and career and how does it affect Kay?

4. What does Kay's mother confirm about Kay's past?

5. What is the setting for the chapter titled "Tongue"?

6. Who is Pantaleon Quiroga?

7. What does Salvador Carriscant say about his return to Manila in 1897?

8. What does Kay discover when she goes to her house just after selling it?

9. What does Kay decide about Carriscant and what does she do after deciding this?

10. What does Carriscant say when he elaborates on his past while he and Kay are flying?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as The Blue Afternoon help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Blue Afternoon? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in The Blue Afternoon to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an important part of what makes The Blue Afternoon interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Kay. 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.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Carriscant. 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.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Paton Bobby. 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

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in The Blue Afternoon. 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 Boyd 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 Boyd chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Boyd's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Boyd 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).

(see the answer keys)

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