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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 Isidro Cruz?

2. What does Salvador Carriscant claim?

3. How long will Kay and Carriscant be on the ship?

4. What does Kay do for Philip?

5. What does Philip say about Kay since they divorced?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Kay go to visit her mother in Chapter Four?

3. What does Carriscant show Kay after visiting Paton Bobby and what does he ask of her?

4. Why does Kay's lawyer call her and why is his news in a way depressing for Kay?

5. What documentation is left of Kay's biological father?

6. Describe the feud between Carriscant and Isidro Cruz.

7. What does Kay learn about the buyer of her home?

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

9. What does Carriscant say about his parentage?

10. Why does Kay spend many hours with her attorney?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadowing are in The Blue Afternoon? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadowing in The Blue Afternoon including why you believe it is foreshadowing. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from The Blue Afternoon and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of William Boyd.

2. What in Boyd's background may have helped him in writing The Blue Afternoon? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of truth in The Blue Afternoon. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of love in The Blue Afternoon. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of illusions and beliefs in The Blue Afternoon. What are some of the beliefs the characters hold that may be illusions? How does denial fit in with the theme of illusions and beliefs? How do false beliefs shape some of the characters' lives?

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