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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. Who is Little Chief's father?

2. In the Dakota tribe, who customarily helps parents raise their children?

3. What does Blue Bird make for Little Chief in Chapter 4?

4. Why does the camp say they are making fun of Star Elk in Chapter 3?

5. Who does Blue Bird's sister-in-laws' loyalty belong to ultimately?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 1, what does Blue Bird name her child, and why?

2. How does Little Chief join the war party, and how does he help?

3. According to Chapter 2, how did Blue Bird come to live in this camp circle?

4. Due to his anger at Blue Bird and the way the rest of the camp circle is treating him, what does Star Elk do?

5. Who is Little Chief, and how does Blue Bird treat him?

6. Why does Gloku visit Blue Bird, and what does Blue Bird learn about Gloku's family in Chapter 4?

7. Describe Blue Bird's marriage to Star Elk.

8. When Waterlily leaves Ohiya for a moment in Chapter 7, what happens and how is this rectified?

9. When Blue Bird's mother-in-law hears of the child's birth, what does she do, and what does she think in regards to her son?

10. What does Little Chief do as he grows older in Chapter 7?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Waterlily" was not published until it had been condensed to half of its original size. How might this have affected the novel's plot? Why do you think it was shortened so much?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the main themes in this novel (honor, family, Dakota traditions, respect for elders) and detail its recurrences throughout the novel. What does it add to the novel? How does it affect the difference characters?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Star Elk and Rainbow. How are their relationships with Blue Bird similar and different?

(see the answer keys)

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