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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. Why does the King seal the door to the cellblock after those who invited are inside?

2. About what does Torusumi talk?

3. What does Grey find on the King when he catches him?

4. Where does the King summon Marlowe, Larkin and McCoy?

5. What does Hawkins' dog do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does the King invite to start up a rat breeding operation and what is the plan?

2. How does Marlowe manage to obtain a radio and what is the King's reaction?

3. Describe the pursuit and escape of Marlowe with the money.

4. What does Dr. Kennedy say about Marlowe's arm?

5. Why are King and Marlowe in the King's tent at the opening of Chapter 19 and what happens?

6. How do Marlowe and the King go outside to wire, and where do they go?

7. Describe the "birthday party" of the elite who are invited to a barbecue.

8. With what does Larkin surprise Marlowe and why does he do so?

9. What happens when Lt. Grey stumbles from illness and what is the result?

10. How do Marlowe and the King reestablish their friendship after the King blows up at Marlowe about the radio?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 6, Marlowe's stories demonstrate how racism is integral to the Asian war.

1. Using Marlowe's stories in Chapter 6, discuss how racism adds to the normal atrocities of the war in the Pacific theater.

2. Research and discuss the Japanese racial beliefs in connection both with other Asian nations and with non-Oriental nations.

3. Research and discuss how the Americans used racism against the Japanese for propaganda in gaining support for the war in the Pacific. How do you think American racism influenced how Americans treat Japanese prisoners?

4. How much do you think racism play in the Japanese internment camps in the United States during WWII?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of power in KING RAT. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with power? Why? What are some symbols of power? Symbols of powerlessness? What characters seem powerless?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of survival in KING RAT. What characters are most concerned with survival? Why? What are some symbols of survival? Symbols of resignation? What characters seem determined to survive? Which ones seem not to care about survival? What is the difference between how the two types live?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of nationalism/patriotism. How does the POWs from each nation view patriotism/nationalism? Is patriotism important to the POWs? What about the Korean guards? The Japanese?

Essay Topic 3

Japanese regard Westerners who surrender as dishonored and strip officers of their rank. Discuss the following:

1. After research, compare/contrast Japanese and Western views of surrender.

2. Discuss the ways the Japanese attitudes towards surrender and POWs impacted their treatment of the prisoners in Changi.

3.. Truman demanded and received unconditional surrender from Japan. How do you think this impacted the Japanese National psyche? How do you think someone such as Yoshima in King Rat would explain the Japanese willingness to surrender?

(see the answer keys)

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