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Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. After Chandler talks about his diamonds, what does Joanna think?
2. What has Chandler given up?
3. For whom is Chee searching?
4. What does the old shaman who lives on the side of the canyon claim?
5. What is the first thing Bernie sees as she looks in the cave/rain slot?
Short Essay Questions
1. How is Bernie's assurance about Chandler highly ironic in the scheme of the history of Native Americans?
2. In Chapter 21, why do you think Chee is alarmed that none of the tracks comes back out of the canyon?
3. Do you think the scene of Bernie finding the diamonds and arm is anti-climatic and why?
4. What theme seems to come to fruition in this chapter?
5. What might be the implications of Bernie and Chee's relationship from the way they are interacting at the end of Chapter 28?
6. Do you see any difference between Chandler and Joanna at this point; after all, she agrees to a "partnership" with him?
7. What is incongruous in Chapter 26 that conflicts with something narrated in Chapter 14?
8. How does Hillerman emphasize his attitude towards the "white man"?
9. What seems surprising in this story at this point in the book?
10. What seems incongruous about Bernie avoiding looking at the shaman?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Bernadette Manuelito, or Bernie, for short is first introduced in this chapter and later evolves to be a major figure in the story. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:
1. Describe Bernie fully, including physical description and personality traits. Comb through the book looking for all the information you can find about her.
2. In chapter 28, when Bernie is reassuring Joanna, Bernie says that she is a policewoman; however, Bernie is no longer working as a cop. Do you think this statement foreshadows Bernie going back to work for the tribal police? What do you think this statement says about how Bernie sees herself?
3. Judging from Bernie's actions throughout the story, how good a policewoman do you think she was? Give examples to support your stance.
Essay Topic 2
In Chapter 8, Billy Tuve is asked about his Kiva initiation rites, which he describes in the Hopi language to the other Hopi who is there, Cowboy Dashee, though even Cowboy cannot hear the entire story since he is of a different Kiva from Billy. 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. Research some common Native American rites or initiation ceremonies and describe them and give your thoughts about them.
2. What do you think is the purpose of secret societies which have initiation rites for those who want to be a part of the society? (consider such groups as the Free masons, Eastern Star, etc.). Describe one such group, their purpose, and how one becomes a member. Would you consider joining a secret society? Why?
3. How have secret societies influenced the way of life in the United States? (Consider such groups as the KKK, Black Panthers, the Communist party, etc.)
Essay Topic 3
Chandler and Plymale are the personification of greed and cruelty, as well as icons of the worst attributes of the white men who imposed their values on the peaceful Navajo and Hopi as seen in their conversation in chapter 4. Each character is a one-dimensional personification of a single human characteristic or passion. While this device might be criticized in other works, Hillerman does a good job of using it to support his theme of cultural contrast between western and Native American societies. 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. Discuss the literary technique of personification. How is it used? When is it appropriate? What is the purpose in general of personification? Do you find it to be an effective technique?
2. Show how Chandler and Plymale are personified. Does this hamper their being believable characters? Does either character ever break the boundaries of personification? How? When? Be specific.
3. What other characters could be considered personifications or archetypes? Consider both major and minor characters. Give examples and include why you think the personification is effective or not. Could Hillerman's point be made some other way?
This section contains 1,535 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) |
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