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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. With whom does Joanna partner to go after Plymale?

2. About what do the three men educate Joanna?

3. What animal in the story starts the whole cycle of change?

4. What does the new law enforcement file contain?

5. Who arrives in New Mexico at the beginning of this chapter?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are Chandler and Plymale archetypes of the type of white man that imposed their way upon Native Americans?

2. What story does Shorty tell that is the motivation for the setting moving to the floor of the Grand Canyon?

3. What about the difference between white and Native American culture does Hillerman seem to be again emphasizing. Why do you as a reader respond to this obvious stereotyping?

4. There are several inconsistencies in Chapter 13; name one of them.

5. Why do you think Fred Sherman, an ex-cop, is introduced as another "bad" guy?

6. The focus on the possibility of rain continues in this chapter; name several hints that the weather may play a role in the story.

7. Why do you think Hillerman stereotypes characters such as Chandler and Plymale, making them one-dimensional?

8. How does Joe illustrate his thoughts about events arising from a complex and often invisible series of causes and effects?

9. What do you think is the main purpose of this short chapter?

10. What does Joanna say that gains Billy Tuve's attention and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The characters in Skeleton Man are a mixture of complex (or three dimensional) and flat (or stereotypes) Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Write an in-depth character analysis of Joanna Craig. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate her. Is this character round or flat? What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

2. Write an in-depth character analysis of Chandler. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate him. Is this character round or flat? What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

3. Choose three other characters besides Craig and Chandler and write about them in relationship to both Chandler and Craig. Are they friendly or hostile to either main character? Explain with examples. What is their purpose(s) in the story?

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 9, Chee is reflecting on his past, particularly upon his past romantic relationships. A story he things about concerns "Cat," a domesticated cat. The story about Cat might be considered an allegory. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. What is an allegory? What is the purpose of the Cat allegory?

2. Why do you think an author might use an allegory to express a concept or idea? Do you think the Cat allegory is effective?

3. Are there any other allegories in the novel? What about the story Sam Pinto tells in Chapter 1? Could this be an allegory about how the white man has ruined the environment?

Essay Topic 3

Greed informs the actions of some of the characters and ultimately leads to the actual deaths of one of them. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. List the major characters in order of how greedy they seem to be; include Chandler, Sherman, Craig, Tuve, Bernie, and Chee--and any others you choose. How does greed affect each character?

2. Why do you put whoever you chose in the position of being the greediest? The least greedy? Do you consider any of the major characters as not having any inclinations towards greed? Why or why not?

3. Do you think any of these characters are justified in being greedy? Why or why not? Is greed EVER justified? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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