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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. Where did messengers go as the ships were landing?

2. How did the Japanese slowly become after the English quit trading?

3. What was special about Commodore Perry being received by the Japanese?

4. How did the Dutch live while maintaining trade status with the Japanese?

5. How many troops were quickly rallied?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was one consequence of the Japanese's isolation for the Americans?

2. What were some of Commodore Perry's accomplishments in addition to convincing the Japanese to receive him?

3. What was one consequence of the Japanese's isolation for the Japanese?

4. What was Edo's first response to the messengers and why is it amazing?

5. Discuss the lead Shogun at the time of Commodore Perry's arrival.

6. Who were the samurai?

7. What was the composition of the American forces arriving in Japan?

8. What were some negative aspects of the Tokugawa period?

9. What was the Tokugawa period and some of its positive aspects?

10. What was special about the Englishman, Will Adams?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rhoda Blumberg has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave her work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think The Hundred Days qualifies as an Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the people, technology, ideas, etc... are portrayed?

3. Are the Americans more or less advanced than you pictured for the mid -1800s? Explain with examples. Are the Japanese more or less advanced than you pictured for the mid -1800s? Explain with examples.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not? Do you think Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun has a "happy" ending?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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