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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 did Jaime find twice?
2. Who is sitting on a bench by his front door?
3. To whom did Jaime direct Juan to tell a secret?
4. Towards what does Juan lead the party?
5. What does Eileen feel as she suddenly wakens?
Short Essay Questions
1. Who is Zeke Wooston?
2. What is the situation at the Mulkerin ranch, and what does Eileen think needs to be done about it?
3. How does Sean come to be a sailor?
4. Why does Juan not think there is a reason to share much about his people and their history?
5. Who is Juan?
6. What does Juan say to Sean, Montero, Eileen and Mariana when they arrive at his home?
7. Describe the Mulkerin ranch house.
8. Why do Juan and the others leave camp in the middle of the night?
9. What does Juan tell Eileen about his people?
10. How does Sean come to meet Mariana?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Answer one of the following in an essay:
1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "The Californios". 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 L'Amour chooses the symbols he does?
2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in "The Californios". 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 L'Amour chooses the metaphors he does?
3. Discuss L'Amour's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does L'Amour 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).
Essay Topic 2
Discuss one of the following:
1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation of how Machado is on somewhat friendly terms with Sean Mulkerin by the end of the book. What other situations contain irony in "The Californios"?
2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from "The Californios:. What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?
3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in "The Californios" and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why or why not. Some possible techniques: Allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.
Essay Topic 3
There are a number of interesting questions raised by "The Californios", questions that most readers may want 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 L'Amour's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss L'Amours' 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 L'Amour and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.
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This section contains 1,107 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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