View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Carriscant embarrassed about the action?

2. Of what does Pantaleon inform Carriscant?

3. Why do Kay and Carriscant go around to sweet shops?

4. What hobby does Delphine take up in order to have an excuse to leave home?

5. What does Carriscant watch Pantaleon do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Pantaleon expect of Carriscant and what is Carriscant's reaction?

2. Why does Carriscant start a fire in Sieverance's shed?

3. How does Annaliese become pregnant with Kay?

4. What does Delphine tell Carriscant that makes him start planning to flee the country with her?

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

6. Who calls in Carriscant to examine his ill wife?

7. What does Carriscant say Delphine admits and what is Kay's reaction?

8. What does Cruz show Carriscant in Cruz's operating room and what does Carriscant think of what he is seeing?

9. What happens when Carriscant meets Delphine and why does she reject him?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Carriscant and Cruz. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Kay and Annaliese. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Blue Afternoon help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

There are many questions left with no definite answers in The Blue Afternoon. Discuss the following:

1. What are two questions left with no answers that you would have liked to know? Why? Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

2. Discuss, in depths, why you think Boyd left so many questions. Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

3. Do you think a novel should tie up all loose ends and answer all questions? Why or why not? Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,047 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample