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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What change are the Americans planning for Japanese schools?

2. Who announces the signing of the Potsdam Declaration to the school?

3. What does Sumiyama believe is the profound wish of every Japanese man?

4. What do the boys intend to do with the rifle club's rifles?

5. What two things does H realize have gone unchanged by the war?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel begins before the war when H is still a young boy, and ends after the war with H making a living. As a result of the war, is H forced to grow up more quickly? If the war had not happened, how do you think his childhood and teen years would have differed?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, we see numerous examples of "blind faith" - Toshiko's undying belief in God, the Japanese's adoration of the Emperor, and the unquestioned belief that Japan will be victorious in the war. Our protagonist, H, seems to be against the grain, as he questions most everything he hears. Is H faithless? Or does H believe in something other than the power of religion, government, or military?

Essay Topic 3

Christianity is practiced by many in Japan, including the Senoh family. Prior to and during the war, how is Christianity viewed in the eyes of:

a) Toshiko

b) H

c) Japan as a whole

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 297 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample