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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. Why does Dave decide to go to Montana?

2. What worries Dixie Lee?

3. For whom does Dan Nygurski work?

4. Who arrives at the house as no surprise to Dave?

5. Who does Dixie Lee believe tried to kill him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dave find in his mailbox and what is the Sheriff's response to it?

2. What does Dave do to get himself thrown off Dio's property and is this a pattern of Dave's?

3. Why is Dave moved in the jail and what does that say about Dave as a person?

4. What do you think the package in Dave's mailbox means?

5. What does Dixie Lee do that is perhaps a typical manipulative action of an alcoholic?

6. Do you think Dave's wife is actually coming to him in a dream or it is Dave just reminding himself to go to AA?

7. What happens to Dave the day after his encounter with Mapes and Vidrine and do you think he is a responsible parent in that incident?

8. How does Dave spend his time in jail?

9. How do we get a little hint of Dave Robicheaux's fathering abilities?

10. What does Dave decide to do and why does he make this decision?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dreams play a significant role in BLACK CHERRY BLUES. Discuss the following:

1. How much (if any) do you think Dave's Cajun background contribute to his valuing his dreams?

2. Discuss Dave's three significant dreams and their interpretations.

3. Can Dave be taken seriously as a detective when he puts stock in such things as dreams? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast Dave Robicheaux with Cletus Purcel.

2. Compare/contrast Dave Robicheaux with Dixie Lee.

3. Compare/contrast Dixie Lee with Cletus Purcel.

Essay Topic 3

Dixie Lee is involved in a fatal accident while driving and drinking in which a child is killed. Discuss one of the following:

1. Do you think it is just to send Dixie Lee to prison for the reason stated above? What if it is the first DUI? The third?

2. Obviously Dixie Lee does not rehabilitate in prison as he is still drinking. Is prison a place for rehabilitation? If not, should it be? If so, how does it rehabilitate people? Explain fully with examples.

3. If a loved one (either friend, relative, or romantic partner) drinks and drives impaired and kills a child, would you fight to keep that person out of prison? Why or why not? Explain fully with examples.

(see the answer keys)

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