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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 giving the social event Carriscant attends?

2. What does Carriscant do when he encounters Delphine at the social function?

3. What does Delphine tell Carriscant?

4. What does Seiverance announce?

5. What does Cruz say about the procedure?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Carriscant contemplate doing after fighting with Wieland?

3. Why is Cruz enraged and Carriscant embarrassed?

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

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

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

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

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

9. Describe Delphine's surgery.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as The Blue Afternoon help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Blue Afternoon? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in The Blue Afternoon to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

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