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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. Kitaru's ritual when he arrives home involves the singing of the song Yesterday and what other action?

2. In what kind of establishment do Kafuku and Takatsuki always meet?

3. What does Oba tell Kafuku about the social habits of Kafuku's future driver?

4. What had Kafuku's marital state been at the time he bought his new convertible car?

5. Tanimura accuses Kitaru of taking what action in relation to the song Yesterday?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Kitaru feel about "things being smooth and comfortable" (52) in life?

2. How does Tanimura characterize the Kansai dialect spoken by his friend Kitaru?

3. What are the conditions of Misaki Watari's employment with Kafuku?

4. Provide a brief Marxist analysis of the story "Yesterday," focusing on one scene in particular to prove your claim.

5. How is the theme of transformation depicted within the ending of the story "Drive My Car"?

6. What evidence does Kafuku give for his claim that Misaki Watari is an "excellent driver" (9)?

7. Which of Misaki Watari's qualities make her a perfect fit for her role as Kafuku's personal driver?

8. What does the narrator describe as "the most excruciating thing" (17) about Kafuku's experience of knowing about his wife's affairs?

9. What precipitates Kafuku's need for a driver?

10. What is the significance of Kafuku's reaction to sitting in the passenger seat of his Saab after 12 years of driving?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how and why the author instills three different humanist messages into the narrative of Haruki Murakami's short story collection Men Without Women.

Essay Topic 2

Trace the characterization arc of Kino’s character throughout the story entitled Kino. Within your greater argument, discuss whether Kino is a round or flat character and whether he is a static or dynamic character.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze Murakami's focus on the theme of transformation in Haruki Murakami's short story collection Men Without Women. What message is being sent about the nature of change?

(see the answer keys)

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