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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. The narrator notices that, because of the war, Kusano's hands have become what?

2. What does the narrator lie about during his meeting for the draft?

3. Sonoko gives the narrator his first what?

4. How does Sonoko make the narrator feel?

5. How does the narrator feel when separated from Sonoko?

Short Essay Questions

1. What impresses the narrator about the refugees that he sees?

2. Why does the narrator offer to carry Sonoko's bag?

3. After the visitation with Kusano, what sight confronts the narrator on his train ride home?

4. Why does the narrator want to stay in a hotel with Sonoko?

5. What event takes place that proves to the narrator he is capable of basic, human emotion?

6. As the relationship between the narrator and Sonoko grows, why does the narrator struggle with "pangs of consciousness"?

7. When does the narrator get his first opportunity to spend time with Sonoko?

8. What does the narrator believe is possible, in terms of partnering with a woman?

9. After the visitation with Kusano, why does the narrator become determined to love Sonoko?

10. Upon witnessing the sight of the air raid victims, what does the narrator want to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The narrator spends much of his early life fantasizing about blood, death, and gore. Because of the war, the narrator is confronted with the reality of this world. Instead of being excited, as the narrator expected he would be, he is repulsed. Examine the dichotomy in the narrator's opinions towards violence.

Essay Topic 2

The imagery and metaphor of masks appear throughout the novel. Choose three examples of this type of imagery from the text and analyze its purpose in the story.

Essay Topic 3

In Confessions of a Mask, the narrator's body betrays him repeatedly. Write an essay discussing the various ways the narrator's body betrays him and how this drives him to hide his true self behind a mask.

(see the answer keys)

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