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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. How many people does Monroe tell Dave were on the plane?

2. Who is Melancon?

3. Who is Monroe?

4. Where are Dave and Annie at the opening of the novel?

5. In what does Bubba usually not engage?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who visits Dave at his home and what does Dave learn and why does he make another dive?

2. Briefly describe Robin Gaddis.

3. Describe Minos P. Dautrieve.

4. Describe Annie Robicheaux.

5. What does Dave learn when he sees Dautrieve the day after the bayou incident?

6. Describe Dave Robicheaux.

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

8. How does Dave begin his investigation?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 10, Romero calls Dave and says that he has cut a deal with Federal agents, except that Dave's refusal to come on board has stalled the process. Romero says that Dave must help him with the plea bargain or pay the consequences. Discuss the following:

1. What consequences do you think Romero has in mind?

2. Do you think it is wise and/or ethical for the government to cut a deal with Romero when he is threatening to commit another crime (i.e. the murder of Dave and/or a loved one of Dave's)?

3. Are plea bargains ethical in general? Fair? Necessary? What alternatives are there to plea bargains?

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 3, after Dave is beaten rather severely and spends the night in the hospital, he talks with the local sheriff. During the interview with the local sheriff, Dave quickly concludes that the sheriff has no intention of doing anything. Discuss one of the following:

1. Why do you think the sheriff seems uninterested in following up on a person being beaten? Do you think this is common law enforcement practice? Do you think if the sheriff had taken action and arrested Eddie Keats, Dave would not have taken punishment into his own hands and not sparked off a chain of violence? Does violence beget violence in other works and in a sense is Dave partly responsible for Annie's death and perhaps even the sheriff who declines to take the first act of violence seriously.

2. It seems many people in the "real" world expect a lot of police officers when it comes to protecting them and their property, but when it comes to enforcing laws that the people themselves break, they think the police are unfair to too zealous. (for example, the way many people respond to a ticket for a driving violation). Is this fair to the police officers? Is it just human nature to respond when "caught"? Discuss fully using examples from the book and your own experiences.

3. Trace and analyze the actions of enforcement officers, both local police and the INS and DEA agents. Are they all ethical? Humane? Competent? What are their motives for police work? Use specific examples to illustrate your statements.

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 9, Dave continues his job but begins to drown in unwanted paperwork. He is good street cop but the administrative side of the job is definitely not his strong point. Discuss the following:

1. What does Dave have to do administratively that is so consuming and onerous for him? What aspects of his personality make this paperwork so difficult for him to deal with?

2. Do you think there should be some way for men and women who are really good beat cops but lousy on paperwork to have assistance with the paperwork aspect of the job? Why or why not?

3. What could be some advantages in filling out paperwork? Disadvantages?

4. Is there too much paperwork in general in the American culture? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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