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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 does the Main Character see when he uses the magnifying glass?

2. What does the Main Character tell the Strange Man he fears losing?

3. What does the Limo Driver give to the Main Character?

4. What does the Strange Man want the Main Character to tell him in Chapter 17?

5. What do the Main Character and his business partner first discuss in Chapter 7?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the Main Character and the Business Partner disagree on the direction of their business?

2. Why does the ex-wife not want the Main Character to deliver her belongings to her new home?

3. How does the Strange Man convince the Business Partner to meet his demands?

4. What is the significance of the Rat's second letter?

5. How does the Boss come to gain his power?

6. Describe the relationship between the Main Character and his ex-wife.

7. Why are sheep important in Japan's history?

8. Describe the Limo Driver.

9. What is the importance of the Whale's Penis?

10. Describe the Strange Man.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 28, the Caretaker tells the Main Character that is easy to care for 200 sheep because they are cooperative and want to be led. How does this statement work as a metaphor for the mediocrity of humanity in A Wild Sheep Chase? Write an analytical response using support from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Haruki Murakami makes specific choices about what information to include about each character in A Wild Sheep Chase.

1) Imagine that the characters of J, the Business Partner, or the Girl Who'd Sleep with Anyone were not included in the story and explain the impact this would have on the story.

2) What additional information about any single character would have significantly changed the novel? Explain.

3) Is the ex-wife, the Business Partner or the Limo Driver most important to the novel's message? Explain with support from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Symbolism in A Wild Sheep Chase sends many messages involving themes like alienation, authority, and transformation. Select three items of symbolism and for each:

1) Describe what theme or idea they symbolize.

2) Analyze the use of that object to send a message at that point in the novel.

3) Relate the object to the author's use of surrealism in the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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