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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 the only person in the case that leads Spenser to Joe Broz?

2. What does Browne make Spenser realize?

3. With shat kind of weapons do Broz's men threaten Spenser?

4. What kind of weapon does Spenser take with him on his run?

5. What do Paul, Spenser and Paige drink with their dinner?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Spenser say he admires about Susan in this section?

2. Why does Spenser think Hawk is important to him in helping solve the case?

3. What realization does Spenser come to about Susan while he is out on his run?

4. What phone calls does Spenser make at the beginning of this section?

5. What realization does Susan come to about relationships at the beginning of this section?

6. What does Browne make Spenser realize about Joe Broz in Chapter 26?

7. What does Spenser say about his relationship with Susan at the end of the novel?

8. How does Spenser defeat Broz' men in this section?

9. Why does Susan think Meade Alexander is selfish?

10. In what way does this section show Spenser's psychological strength?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the book.

1. How does the author use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

2. Discuss elements of the narrative structure - exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's themes?

Essay Topic 2

Replace the book's setting with one of the following settings.

1. Chicago.

2. New York.

3. Los Angeles.

What new meaning would the new setting give the book? How important is setting for developing meaning in a story?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the values of the 1980s.

1. In what ways are the characters a product of their time?

2. How does the book express the changes America was going through at the time?

3. Does modern society share any values with 1980s America?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample