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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. What does Carriscant believe about the wounds he examines in a murder victim?

2. What has Carriscant researched?

3. What does Kay think started Philip on the road to his alcoholism?

4. Why is Kay wanting to sell her house?

5. What is Kay's stipulation for her going with Carriscant?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Kay Fischer?

2. What does Kay decide about Carriscant and what does she do after deciding this?

3. Why do Bobby and Carriscant visit Isidro Cruz and what happens?

4. What does Meyersen say about Kay's home and career and how does it affect Kay?

5. Why does Kay visit Philip and what happens and what does she think about her and Philip?

6. What does Carriscant realize about Pantaleon now after knowing the man for some time?

7. What is the impact of Coleman's death on Kay and Philip?

8. Where does Carriscant visit in the chapter titled "The Nipa Barn"?

9. What does Kay discover when she goes to her house just after selling it?

10. Why does Kay spend many hours with her attorney?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes The Blue Afternoon interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Kay. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Carriscant. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Paton Bobby. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

There are many questions left with no definite answers in The Blue Afternoon. Discuss the following:

1. What are two questions left with no answers that you would have liked to know? Why? Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

2. Discuss, in depths, why you think Boyd left so many questions. Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

3. Do you think a novel should tie up all loose ends and answer all questions? Why or why not? Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 3

Pantaleon's obsession with his aircraft mirrors Carriscant's developing obsession with Delphine; both men become entirely irrational in their pursuits. Pantaleon seems to desire external validation by winning an award. Carriscant becomes caught up inadvertently in Pantaleon's obsession as the narrative develops.

1. Explain what is meant by the first sentence above and why or why not you agree with it. Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

2. Discuss the dichotomy of an apparently intelligent physician being unable to overcome his obsession with a married woman even to the point of an affair and making her pregnant. Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

3. Discuss the relationship between the strict social classes in the Philippines and Pantaleon's desire for external validation. Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,073 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample