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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. Delchef argues with Bird about ________________________.

2. Bird confesses that he views the vagina and womb as __________________.

3. What does Himiko run into a store to purchase for the baby?

4. What is Himiko's response when Bird tells her he thinks the baby is dead?

5. Where does Bird reunite with Himiko after leaving the maternity hospital?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Delchef's opinion on how Bird is handling the situation regarding the baby?

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

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

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

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

8. Who is Kikuhiko and how is he introduced to the story?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Project into the future ten years after the end of the novel and write a brief synopsis for Bird's life. What is his relationship with his son? What is his relationship with his wife? Have his dreams of going to Africa been completely squelched? What is Bird's state of mind? How does Bird feel about himself now?

Essay Topic 2

Explain what it means that Bird is a man who keeps running away. In what areas does Bird seemingly fail? How does Bird feel about these failures? What is the turning point where Bird refuses to run away any longer?

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)

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