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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 is Bird's mother-in-law doing when he arrives at the hospital?

2. What is the state of mind of the main character?

3. What does Africa represent in Bird's life now?

4. Himiko suggests that in another universe, Bird's baby will live to his __________________.

5. Why can the new baby not have surgery?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Bird doing at the beginning of A PERSONAL MATTER? What is going on with Bird's wife and how does Bird think his life will soon change?

2. Waking up sick with a hangover, what does Bird think might serve as partial restitution for the baby's dire situation?

3. Who is Delchef and how is he introduced into the story?

4. Who are the people who Bird encounters when he gets to the maternity hospital?

5. How is Bird's encounter with the gang a boost to his flailing ego?

6. What does Bird notice about the women watching from the windows of the maternity hospital?

7. Describe the nature of Bird's brief encounter with the transvestite on the street.

8. What is the significance of the two men who come to Himiko's home?

9. What is unusual about the doctor who speaks to Bird about the baby?

10. How does the doctor exhibit insensitivity toward Bird about the baby on the way to the hospital?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kenzaburo Oe is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony, briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the book and note why they are examples of irony.

Essay Topic 3

A PERSONAL MATTER is a classic story of loss and renewal. What does that classification entail? Why does this novel fit into this category? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,000 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample