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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. How have the students behaved watching Moriyama paint?

2. What does Ono say during his last conversation with Matsuda about his present-day perspective on life?

3. What brought about the chances in Moriyama's standing?

4. What causes Ono's great sense of triumph?

5. What remains of Sugimura's planned Kawabe Park?

Short Essay Questions

1. Years ago, Matsuda had accused Ono of having a narrow artist's perspective. What does Ono say about his perspective now that he is retired?

2. Ono recalls the influence of Moriyama on his own behavior. What does he say he adopted from his teacher?

3. How does Ono console himself that he did not visit his old friend as often as he had intended to?

4. What do we learn about Setsuko from Ono's conversation with Matsuda?

5. How does Matsuda console himself when thinking of his actions during the war?

6. Why didn't Moriyama applaud his student's maturing talent as an artist?

7. What European influences distinguished Moriyama's work from Utamaro's?

8. Why did Moriyama's students never comment directly to him about his paintings?

9. What happened to Moriyama's best student, Sasaki?

10. What effect did Moriyama try to create in his paintings?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

We learn about Suichi's character through what he instructs Setsuko, what he wants for Ichiro, and the way he behaves when Kenji's ashes are brought home. Describe this young man based on textual evidence. Ono expresses the belief that Suichi has been "embittered." What embittered him?

Essay Topic 2

Young Miyake tells Ono what he believes is "the greatest cowardice of all." Later, Ono explains what he believes to be the greatest cowardice. Analyze the similarities and differences between their points of view. Do these stated opinions influence Ono? If so, how? Is cowardice or courage a matter of importance to him?

Essay Topic 3

Ono recalls a rumor that Sugimura built a long corridor in his house to distance himself from his parents. Analyze Ono's relationship with his own father and with his two mentors, Takeda and Moriyama. Consider also that his daughters have moved at a distance from him, visiting only once a year. What do you think Ishiguro is telling his readers about parent-child relationships? Do you agree with his ideas?

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