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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 shocks the others when Eileen returns to them?

2. What does a voice declare about Russell?

3. What will help the Mulkerin family obtain another loan?

4. What does Sean tell Machado?

5. What is the trail from Los Angeles to Malibu like?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Eileen decide in order to "buy" time?

2. What does Silva tell Wooston that angers Wooston, and what concerns Machado and Russell?

3. What happens when Russell wakes in the night, and what does he do in the morning?

4. Why does Eileen apologize to Juan?

5. What happens when Eileen goes to wake up Juan?

6. What noises do Wooston's men hear and why do they decide to wait until morning to confront Sean's group?

7. Why does Francisco try to convince Russell of and what is Russell's response?

8. Who does Eileen meet at the store, and what is his reaction to her story about the gold?

9. How many men does Sean observe who are after them and what is Montero doing?

10. What are Russell and Francisco doing in the mountains, and why does Francisco anger Russell?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of themes that run as a thread throughout "The Californios". Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Trace the development of the theme of superstition. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis of how the idea of superstition informs the entire novel.

2. Trace the development of the theme of greed. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis of how greed seems to be more a part of the predominant culture of the United States versus that of native cultures.

3. Trace the development of the theme of violence. Use specific examples to illustrate how this theme is expressed. Analyze the examples and offer an analysis as to why this theme is central to the novel's plot.

Essay Topic 2

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 Californios" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "The Californios" 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 3

Characters are an important part of what makes "The Californios" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Sean Mulkerin What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Eileen. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Zeke Wooston. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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