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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. Where does the narrator go at the end of the story?

2. What does the author use to help him sleep?

3. What can't the narrator concentrate on writing his article?

4. How is the narrator informed of his mother's death?

5. In what mood does the author's wife arrive home in?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Life of the Stupid Man say about Akutagawa's state of mind?

2. How does Oshino try to control his kicking legs?

3. Why does the narrator say he feels guilty?

4. What does Akutagawa hear on the phone?

5. Why is Oshino suddenly unable to control his legs?

6. How does the author end the story?

7. What does the narrator remember about his eldest sister?

8. What amuses Yasukichi at the end of the story?

9. How does Tsuneko react to seeing her husband's horse legs?

10. Describe the image at the river Shinsuke says affects him deeply.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the author's writing style. How would you describe the author's prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? What meaning does the author's style give to the story?

Essay Topic 2

What does the Loyalty story express about the Japanese Feudal system? How does the feudal system affect Shuri's decisions in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Why is Xiao-er unable to take the second chance given to him? What does his character say about human nature in general? How could you argue against the author's point of view?

(see the answer keys)

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