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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 does the coroner rule Darlene's death?

2. What is Charlie supposed to take?

3. What does Dave learn when he picks up Alafair?

4. Who is Darlene?

5. Who has dessert with Dave and Alafair?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Cletus now become a sympathetic character?

2. How does Mrs. Desmarteau receive Dave, and what does he learn?

3. What happens that seems to indicate that Dixie Lee may finally be getting his life back on track?

4. What does the Coroner tell Dave and how does Dave know Darlene was probably raped before being murdered?

5. What is Dave's response to Dixie Lee's request to help and do you think it is wise?

6. What event foreshadows a future event in the book?

7. What happens when Darlene comes over to Dave's home and what is the outcome?

8. What does Tess Reagan tell Dave and do you think is response is ethical?

9. Why do you think Darlene goes over and takes care of Dave when he is ill?

10. How does Cletus save Dave's wife and do you think he and Dave are more alike than first seemed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is obvious Dave dearly loves Alafair, his daughter, but at times, he seems to make decisions that are perhaps not in her best interest. Discuss the following:

1. Dave goes to the Sheriff who cannot help Dave when Dave first receives the letter with the implied threat against Alafair. Because the Sheriff says he cannot help Dave, does this mean it's the wises thing to do to beat up these men when getting thrown in jail will perhaps leave Alafair vulnerable?

2. Is it wise for Dave to given in to Alafair's pleading and take her with him to Montana? Would it have been more harmful to be separated from her father when her mother's death is still not in the too-distant past?

3. Is there anything Dave could have/should have done differently concerning Alafair throughout the story?

Essay Topic 2

Dave Robicheaux is the main character in a number of mystery novels by James Lee Burke. One of the most interesting things about Robicheaux is his Cajun background. It is therefore, useful to understand a little of Cajun culture. Discuss the following:

1. Who are the Cajuns? In what area of the United States do they reside? Who are several famous "real-life" Cajuns?

2. Describe some of the major aspects of the Cajun culture.

3. What about Dave Robicheaux reveals his Cajun heritage?

4. Why do you think James Lee Burke chooses to make his primary protagonist Cajun?

Essay Topic 3

Dave visits a Blackfeet Indian Reservation to obtain information about possible murder victims. Discuss the following:

1. Why and when were Indian Reservations established? Were they moral? Just?

2. What do you think Indians at the time of the establishment of Reservations felt about them? How do you think modern-day Indians feel about Reservations?

3. How would you feel about living on a Reservation?

(see the answer keys)

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