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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 happens at Himiko's house as she and Bird get ready to go for the baby?

2. Himiko reminds Bird of _________________________.

3. Where do Bird and Himiko go after leaving the baby at the clinic?

4. The women in the maternity hospital think that Bird ________________________.

5. Himiko tells Bird that he must define and isolate ____________________ in order to conquer them.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Bird conflicted when Himiko's father-in-law says she and Bird should go to Africa?

2. What instruction does Bird give the doctor regarding the baby's dwindling condition?

3. What reason does Bird give Himiko for taking the baby back to the hospital for the operation?

4. What is the content of the letter which Bird received at his job?

5. What is the significance of the name, Kikuhiko, to Bird and to the story?

6. What outward signs in Bird's life indicate that he has made internal transformations?

7. What do Bird and Himiko do when told that the baby is nearly strong enough for the operation?

8. What does Bird feel after his sexual encounter with Himiko?

9. What role does Himiko and her comfort with her own sexuality play in helping Bird in his journey of transformation?

10. How have Himiko's feelings about Bird evolved over the last few days?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Coming of age is an important theme in A PERSONAL MATTER. Can you cite an example to support this theme? Name two other themes and cite examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the conflict between Bird and his wife. What are the main sources of the conflicts? Why does it perpetuate? Why does the conflict between Bird and his wife occur shortly after their marriage?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of women in 1960s Japan when the women in the novel are living their lives. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? What freedoms did they have that 21st century women do not have?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,324 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample