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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. From what country is Annaliese's father?

2. Where do Carriscant and Kay go?

3. What does Kay say about how she knows Carriscant to her mother?

4. What does the buyer plan to do?

5. What is the setting of the chapter "Tongue"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Carriscant write to say to Kay and what does she decide to do?

2. Who is Pantaleon Quiroga?

3. Where does Carriscant visit in the chapter titled "The Nipa Barn"?

4. What does Carriscant notice while at Cruz's home?

5. How does Kay conduct her investigation of Carriscant?

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

7. What does Carriscant realize about Pantaleon now after knowing the man for some time?

8. What do Kay and Philip think about the other one?

9. What does Carriscant think about concerning his wife, Annaliese Leys?

10. What does Carriscant learn about the photograph of the woman and what does he want to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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).

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 The Blue Afternoon and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Blue Afternoon 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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