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. What does Carriscant do on Panay Island?

2. How does Carriscant learn about Kay?

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

4. How long is Carriscant in Bilibid Prison?

5. Why does Delphine reject Carriscant out of hand?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Carriscant fight Wieland?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Describe Delphine's surgery.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,035 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample