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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 is Cruz's ward like when Carriscant visits it?

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

3. What does Carriscant believe will be the outcome for the patient?

4. Why does Carriscant contact people in the black market after talking with Delphine?

5. What does Pantaleon say the co-pilot will do?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Describe Delphine's surgery.

10. Where is Seiverance going and what does he do in preparation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pantaleon's obsession with his aircraft mirrors Carriscant's developing obsession with Delphine; both men become entirely irrational in their pursuits. Pantaleon seems to desire external validation by winning an award. Carriscant becomes caught up inadvertently in Pantaleon's obsession as the narrative develops.

1. Explain what is meant by the first sentence above and why or why not you agree with it. Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

2. Discuss the dichotomy of an apparently intelligent physician being unable to overcome his obsession with a married woman even to the point of an affair and making her pregnant. Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

3. Discuss the relationship between the strict social classes in the Philippines and Pantaleon's desire for external validation. Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

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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