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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. Who sends Stephen a letter telling of the massacre in Nanking?

2. Why does Stephen originally buy the journal?

3. Who accompanies Stephen home from Canton?

4. What does Stephen notice a lack of in Tarumi?

5. What is Setsbun?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Tomoko's death bring Sachi and Matsu closer?

2. How does Stephen feel about traveling to Tarumi?

3. What implications are given that Matsu is becoming fond of Stephen?

4. Why does Stephen lie to his mother?

5. What does Stephen think of Matsu when they initially meet?

6. What conflicting accounts of the war does Stephen hear?

7. Describe the relationship between Stephen and his father in the beginning of the book.

8. How does Stephen react to the news in his mother's November,1937 letter?

9. How does Stephen describe Matsu's garden?

10. Describe Sachi's garden.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Point of view is an important element of style as this story as told through Stephen's journal. Choose three events in the story that would be dramatically altered if the story was told from a different point of view. Give specific examples that support your assertions. Why do you think the author chose to tell the story through the point of view that she did?

Essay Topic 2

It's clear that characters in this story affect the lives of others around them. Imagine Kenzo without Sachi, or Sachi without Michiko's influence. For three characters, choose a single person in the story that you think has the most influence on them. How would each character's life be different without that person?

Essay Topic 3

Prejudice is an underlying theme that accompanies the war and leprosy. While often subtle, the theme is constantly present in the story. Pick three characters that you feel exhibit prejudice and explain:

1) What is the cause of their prejudice?

2) How aware is this person of their prejudice and to what extent do they justify it?

3) Does this character evolve or alter his or her perceptions in the course of the story? Use specific examples to support all your assertions.

(see the answer keys)

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