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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 is the nature of the phone call that Bird answers?

2. A student offers to help Bird get a job as a ________________.

3. Himiko tells Bird that the name given to the baby is also the name of ____________________.

4. What does Bird realize when he wakes up later in Himiko's bed?

5. Which of the following does Bird NOT say to Himiko?

Short Essay Questions

1. What reason does Bird give Himiko for taking the baby back to the hospital for the operation?

2. Who is Kikuhiko and how is he introduced to the story?

3. What does Bird view the vagina and womb as and what does Himiko suggest that he do to get over his distaste for the female body?

4. What positive encounter does Bird have with the second student from his class?

5. How is Bird's burden somehow lightened when he finally accepts responsibility for his son?

6. What does Bird's encounter with Kikuhiko point out to Bird?

7. What does Bird name the baby and how does Himiko know the name?

8. What do Bird and Himiko do when told that the baby is nearly strong enough for the operation?

9. What temporarily squelches Bird's desire for sex with Himiko?

10. What word does Delchef write in the dictionary for Bird and what is its significance?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are only a few characters in the book who have names. Why does the author choose to name the characters he does? What point is the author trying to make by not giving names to the other characters? Why is it significant that the baby does not have a name until late in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the conflict between Bird and his wife. What are the main sources of the conflicts? Why does it perpetuate? Why does the conflict between Bird and his wife occur shortly after their marriage?

Essay Topic 3

Create a character study of Bird. What are his physical characteristics? What are his motivations? What are his fears? What are his dreams? What else can you say about Bird?

(see the answer keys)

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