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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. Bird is going to make sure the baby has the operation for _____________ sake.

2. The next day at the hospital, Bird is assured by the baby's doctor that the "crisis" will occur __________________.

3. What do Bird and Himiko do after Bird awakens?

4. Who owns the establishment in #163?

5. Himiko says that she will go to Africa with whom?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of the mention of the maps of Africa?

2. Describe the motif of fear in the book and how Bird transcends it after talking with Kikuhiko.

3. How is Bird's burden somehow lightened when he finally accepts responsibility for his son?

4. What does Bird name the baby and how does Himiko know the name?

5. What temporarily squelches Bird's desire for sex with Himiko?

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

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

8. What does Bird's encounter with Kikuhiko point out to Bird?

9. What is the significance of Bird scratching behind his ear after his tiny son does the same thing?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are only a few characters in the book who have names. Why does the author choose to name the characters he does? What point is the author trying to make by not giving names to the other characters? Why is it significant that the baby does not have a name until late in the story?

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of the book's title? What are some other possible titles for the book. List at least five and cite your reasons for each.

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 1,193 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample