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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. How does Carriscant react when he performs an appendectomy?

2. Why does Carriscant visit his wife's uncle?

3. For how many murders is Carriscant arrested?

4. What does Carriscant do when he loses his temper over Cruz's taunting?

5. What do Bobby, Carriscant, and some policemen do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Bobby and Carriscant discuss about the recent murder?

2. What does Annaliese say about Delphine after Annaliese meets her at the Governor's social?

3. Why is Cruz enraged and Carriscant embarrassed?

4. What details about her life does Delphine tell Carriscant?

5. What does Carriscant say about possible motives for the death of the soldiers?

6. Why does Delphine take up painting and how does that enable her affair with Carriscant?

7. How does Carriscant manage to see Delphine alone for a few minutes?

8. What is the outcome of Carriscant's trial?

9. What happens to Carriscant's Chinese patient, and what does this set Carriscant to thinking?

10. Whom does Carriscant contact about a black market engine and why does Panteleon want an engine on the black market?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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?

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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