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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 does Blackthorne say that he and Mariko are to Toranaga?

2. What does Toranaga say to Buntaro about Blackthorne's head.

3. What has Omi done in preparation for the arrival of Toranaga and Yabu?

4. What has Toranga been ordered to do?

5. What permission does Toranaga give Blackthorne about his crew?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Mariko travel to Osaka with scrolls for Kiri and Sazuko?

2. What instruction does Yodoko give Ochiba, the mother of Yaemon?

3. What is the unusual request Buntaro makes of Blackthorne.

4. How does Toranaga attempt to make peace between Buntaro and Mariko?

5. Why is Buntaro so antagonistic toward Blackthorne?

6. How does Toranaga publicly honor Yabu?

7. Why does Mariko announce that she will commit seppuku at sundown?

8. What is the request Blackthorne makes of Toranaga regarding Mariko?

9. What action on the part of Martin Alvito raises Blackthorne's suspicions?

10. What are the circumstances that call off the attack against Mariko after the bomb goes off?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, Feudalism in Shōgun. Your points should include the use of peasants as slave labor, the exorbitant taxes placed on them, and the fear the ruling class has at the idea of peasants having access to guns.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, The Irony of Omi and Yabu. Begin with Omi's wanting to kill his uncle at the very beginning of the novel. Detail how Omi carries out Yabu's orders even though he despises him. Next point should be that it is Omi who brings the samurai to Toranaga whose testimony brings Yabu down. Conclude with the irony of Yabu naming Omi as his heir and selecting him to be his second at his seppuku.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, Comparison of Samurai Brutality and Inquisition Torture. Your essay should include examples of torture methods used by both. Next, make a case for the inappropriate moral judgment of samurai use of torture and cruelty by Westerners. Conclude with your opinion about torture and human rights in general.

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This section contains 658 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample