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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. Why does Shuyu ask to spend the night with Lin one night when he is home?

2. What are Lin's conditions on Manna's prospective new fiancé?

3. Why does Geng Yang ask Manna to come to his room?

4. Who does Lin believe is the key player in making his divorce successful?

5. When Manna thanks Lin for his help, what is his response?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't Geng Yang cry during "The Flower Girl?" What conclusion does Manna draw about him?

2. Why does Shuyu's brother object to Lin's wish for a divorce?

3. Why is Lin concerned that Bensheng invites Ren to his house?

4. How does Lin change the direction of his and Manna's relationship as his divorce seems less and less likely?

5. When Lin shows Manna the photo of his wife and daughter, what upset does it bring to their relationship? What solace does it bring to Manna?

6. How does Lin share Manna's feelings about Geng Yang?

7. What draws and repels Manna and Liang Meng to and from each other?

8. How is Lin painted to be at fault through Chapter 9?

9. After Lin begins to try in earnest to divorce Shuyu, what are the new dilemmas that arise?

10. Why is Manna hesitant to become engaged to Mai Dong before her graduation? What is their deciding factor in holding off their engagement?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lin has a duplicitous personality. Analyze his character using the three following characteristics of Lin:

- Lin's need to please.

- Lin's superiority complex.

- Lin's inferiority complex.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how Lin's children become some of the most relevant characters in his life. Respond to the following questions:

- What do each of his children provide for Lin?

- What do they represent about Lin's relationships with their mothers?

- What greater symbols do they offer to the book?

Essay Topic 3

Ha Jin frequently uses animal imagery in reference to his characters. Write an essay discussing Ha Jin's tendencies of anthropomorphizing his characters and what significance his choices of animals hold for his characters.

(see the answer keys)

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