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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 American statesman does Mama Chia quote in chapter 5?

2. What appears as Dan sees himself in a circle?

3. What is going on at the house when Dan arrives?

4. What kind of juice do Ruth and Dan have to drink when they first meet?

5. Why does Dan have to rest?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Dan depressed on his honeymoon?

2. Dan falls asleep, which could be what is called in literary terms, a "narrative contrivance." What do you think that means in context of this story and Dan falling asleep?

3. What is the irony of Dan's situation out on the vast Pacific Ocean?

4. Describe Dan's experience in his dreamlike state in chapter 7 and his reaction to the dream.

5. What is the phrase that Ruth uses that catches Dan's attention and how would you characterize their encounter?

6. What is the island of Molokai and why is it appropriate that Dan wash up on its shore?

7. Dan says he would trade enlightenment for one glass of "pure, cool, quenching water." What do you think this says about the human condition?

8. How does Ruth respond to Dan's appearance at the party and what do you think this foreshadows?

9. What is Dan's ultimate conclusion about his time in India?

10. Dan imagines all sorts of monsters floating beneath his surfboard; what might this metaphorically represent?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Once Dan has found Ruth Johnson, she gives him a note with some instructions. Discuss the following:

Do you think Dan is wise to blindly follow the note which has him do something that is quite foolhardy?

Given that Dan later learns that he lost part of the note and he was supposed to take food, water and sunscreen, do you think if he had had the complete set of instructions from the beginning he would have been justified in following the path he chooses?

There is a aphorism, "no pain, no gain." Does this saying apply in Dan's experience with the surfboard?

Essay Topic 2

Trace images of the Basic Self throughout the text and thoroughly analyze it and the symbols associated with it.

Trace images of the Conscious Self throughout the text and thoroughly analyze it and the symbols associated with it.

Trace images of the Higher Self throughout the text and thoroughly analyze it and the symbols associated with it.

Essay Topic 3

While Dan is meditating, he realizes he must accept what is rather than cling to illusions. Discuss the following:

To what sort of illusions do you think Dan is clinging?

Can being in denial (or clinging to illusions) sometimes be a good thing?

If Dan (or anyone) accepts what is, then how are they motivated to change for the better?

(see the answer keys)

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