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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. What happens when Panteleon and Carriscant take off in the plane?

2. What does Cruz show Carriscant one day in the operating room?

3. About what do Kay and Carriscant chat at the end of the story?

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

5. Who is Jepson Siverance?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Describe Delphine's surgery.

5. Why does Carriscant fight Wieland?

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

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

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

9. What happens to Carriscant before he can flee the country?

10. What happens one day when Carriscant begins to fantasize about Delphine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Blue Afternoon. The questions are ones that Boyd most likely wants readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Boyd' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Boyd' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Boyd and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

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. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Blue Afternoon.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of The Blue Afternoon. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of The Blue Afternoon. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

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