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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 ask for assistance?

2. Who does Dave suspect his assailant is?

3. What happens to Jerry years earlier?

4. Where does Dave go after talking with Batist?

5. How do Bubba and Dave deal with their respective professional activities?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Dave and Annie tell Alafair about her mother and what do they do to help Alafair start healing emotionally?

2. What police department did Dave work for and why is he no longer employed there?

3. What are Dave and Annie doing when the novel opens?

4. What do Dave and Annie witness as they are about to have lunch?

5. What do Dave and Annie do with the young girl they name Alafair?

6. How do Dave and Annie learn more about Alafair?

7. Why does Dave visit Robin?

8. What do Dave and Annie do in response to the event they witness?

9. What does Annie see down the street and what does Dave do about it?

10. How does Dave begin his investigation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Heaven's Prisoners is considered a crime/murder mystery, a sub-genre of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Define genre and then specifically crime/murder mystery.

2. What do you think is the difference between a suspense novel and a murder mystery?

3. Many in the world of academe do not see mystery as a serious genre, that its primary purpose is entertainment and not "worthy" of being studied by serious students of literature? Respond to that idea.

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 James Lee Burke.

2. What in Burke's background may have helped Burke in writing HEAVEN'S PRISONERS? 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 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).

(see the answer keys)

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