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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. How old is Rayona at the beginning of the novel?

2. When Christine is a kid, she thinks Seattle is like what?

3. A poster of ____________ is hanging on the wall of Christine's childhood room.

4. How long is it since Rayona sees Aunt Ida?

5. What is the name of the town holding the Indian rodeo?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the daring things Christine does when she is growing up?

2. How does Ida feel about Clara when she first comes to stay with them and care for Annie?

3. What does Rayona tell Evelyn and Sky about her family?

4. What does Aunt Ida place Lee's casket during the funeral service?

5. How does Christine act when they bring her into the hospital for her latest drinking binge and she gets her serious diagnosis?

6. How does Christine meet Elgin?

7. What is the time period of the novel when it switches to Christine's point of view?

8. Describe the last scene of the novel.

9. What happens at the flag ceremony for Lee in the Mission gym?

10. What is the significance of the cliff near Tacoma where Christine wants to commit suicide?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of religion in the novel and how Dorris uses it to reveal certain aspects of the characters and themes.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss in detail two or three scenes that show the clash of cultures and what impact it has on the characters involved.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the character of Dayton and his impact on various characters throughout the novel. Why does Dorris introduce, but never confirm, the possibility of a homosexual relationship between him and Lee? Is Dayton a hero of the novel or just another flawed character?

(see the answer keys)

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