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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. From whom does Dave obtain assistance?
2. What does Dave decide to do?
3. Where are Dave and Annie at the opening of the novel?
4. Why do Annie and Dave go to the Catholic church?
5. What does Alafair say about her upbringing?
Short Essay Questions
1. Where does Dave go after a phone call from Batist?
2. How do Dave and Annie learn more about Alafair?
3. Why does Dave visit Robin?
4. Describe Dave's visit to Bubba.
5. What happens to Dave in the bayou?
6. What do Dave and Annie do with the young girl they name Alafair?
7. What do Dave and Annie do in response to the event they witness?
8. Describe Dave Robicheaux.
9. What do Dave and Annie witness as they are about to have lunch?
10. Who does Dave think about as he is sitting in church and what are his thoughts on the subject?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Choose one of the following to discuss:
1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. 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 Burke 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 Burke chooses the metaphors he does?
3. Discuss James Lee Burke'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 Burke 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).
Essay Topic 2
Dave rescues a little girl from the submerged plane and after taking her to a hospital for a checkup where they say she is their daughter they take her home and decide to keep her. Discuss the following:
1. How likely is it that in the "real" world a couple could get away with taking home a "stray" child and just deciding to keep her?
2. Do you think Dave and Annie are doing the right thing in keeping the girl (who they name Alafair)? Why or why not?
3. Is it ethical to keep a child when she could have blood relatives who might be concerned about her and would want to keep her as part of the family?
4. How will Dave and Annie produce the necessary documentation for school attendance and other legalities? Do you think Dave will forge the necessary documents and how could Dave justify breaking the law given that he was a police officer and returns to police work during the course of the story?
Essay Topic 3
In Chapter 3, Alafair's story is brutally graphic and presented at some length, but has no involvement with the remainder of the plot. Discuss the following:
1. Briefly summarize what Alafair tells Dave and Annie through and interpreter. Does her story sound authentic? Why do you think Burke goes into Alafair's story to great detail but it really is not relevant to the rest of the book? Is he setting her up to become a regular character in future novels? Why or why not?
2. Do you think a six-year-old is cognizant enough to offer a brutal and graphic description of her former life? If so, is she capable of understanding what she is relating? What emotional repercussions do you think Alafair will suffer from the time in her previous country?
3. Do you think Dave should keep Alafair after Annie's death? Does he have the emotional capability to give Alafair what she needs--after all, Alafair has suffered much emotional trauma in her few short years and may need professional help and a stable home. Can Dave provide both?
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This section contains 1,653 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) |
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