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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. How do the boys treat Jiro?

2. Who is Hanji disguised as?

3. What does Mochida explain to Jiro?

4. How do the boys decide to give Kinshi his role back?

5. What does Jira say he will try to arrange for Kinshi?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Kinshi get out of his chores and what do the other boys do?

2. How does Jiro arrange the meeting with Okada?

3. What does Okada tell Tozo after Jiro leaves Okada?

4. What does Yoshida ask Jiro and then tell Jiro to do?

5. How does Jiro discover a Samurai sword?

6. What is pinned on the door of the theater and how does Yoshida respond?

7. What does Jiro beg Kinshi to do and what is Kinshi's reply?

8. How does Jiro manage to get Kinshi his role back in the play?

9. What happens when the boys are sewing and practicing later that night and how does Yoshida react?

10. What wakes Jiro in the night and what is the outcome?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over the course of The Master Puppeteer, Jiro grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. The Master Puppeteer might be considered a slice of Jiro's larger story of his "coming of age." It might be said that The Master Puppeteer is a "bildungsroman" of Jiro. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Jiro as he changes from a more carefree, innocent boy to a wiser, young man. What are the significant events that change Rick?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Jiro's growth throughout The Master Puppeteer, do you think The Master Puppeteer could be considered Jiro's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in The Master Puppeteer who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Master Puppeteer. Questions that Peterson most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Peterson' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Peterson' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Peterson and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes The Master Puppeteer interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Jiro. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Kinshi. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Saburo. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

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