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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 do the scorpions have to move?

2. Have Kidd's memory problems gone away?

3. What primarily makes up this chapter?

4. How does Madame Brown offer to help Kidd?

5. At the beginning of the chapter, what does Kidd want to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Edward probably frightened to leave Bellona?

2. When were most of Kidd's poems written?

3. Suddenly, what does Kidd have trouble remembering?

4. What is important in the scorpions dialogue?

5. Why does June try to go to her brother for help?

6. Does Kidd realize what he is writing?

7. Although Kidd and Lanya seem to have known each other for a while, what side of her did he never see ?

8. Why does Kamp feel like it's finally time to leave Bellona?

9. Does George Harrison shed some light into Bobby's death?

10. As the book is drawing to a close, what does Kidd have trouble understanding?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As a science fiction writer, symbolism is extremely important to Delany.

What does the supernova symbolize?

Analyze the symbol and discuss its role in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

How are the scorpions a family in their own right?

Although they may be a difficult bunch with whom to get along, how do they create a family in a world that is unstable?

Why do some of the residents need this in Bellona?

Essay Topic 3

Delany's Dhalgren is thought to be one of the best Science Fiction books of the 1970s and 1980s. Consider what thematic elements classify this book as Science Fiction.

1. How does this book differ from others in the Science Fiction genre?

2. What classifies a book as Science Fiction? How does this book seem to fall short of some of these criteria?

(see the answer keys)

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