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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. To whom are Garcia and Valmonth allied?

2. What do some factions in the Red Court believe about the war?

3. What does Susan tell Henry is happening that evening?

4. What does Harry learn from Karrin Murphy about the death on the Erlanger?

5. What does Harry find on a message pad he took from the Erlanger?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Harry discuss with Sanya and Shiro?

2. What does Harry learn from Butters and what does Harry speculate about concerning the information?

3. Describe the fight with the female Denarian on the Erlanger.

4. Who calls Harry after he has gone to bed and what does she want?

5. What does Father Vincent want of Harry?

6. Why does Harry turn over the cell phone from the boat to Karrin Murphy?

7. What does the spirit of Bob the Skull tell Harry?

8. What does Harry tell Father Vincent when Harry calls him?

9. How does Harry arm himself and why does it then seem unnecessary?

10. Where and with whom does Harry appear in Chapter 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Death Masks, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Death Masks. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Jim Butcher.

2. What in Butcher's background may have helped him in writing Death Masks? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Death Masks. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Butcher chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Butcher chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Butcher's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Butcher use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,071 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample