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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. Who is carried off on a stretcher in Chapter 13?

2. What does Numada do that gives the taxi driver cause for concern?

3. What does Mitsuko offer to do for Kiguchi in Chapter 8?

4. What is wrong with the man Mitsuko accidentally steps on in Chapter 8?

5. Who is drawn into a conversation with an American woman in Chapter 12?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Isobe witness as he is getting drunk and wandering the streets in Chapter 10?

2. What does Tsu tell Mitsuko as to why he dresses as he does?

3. What has Kiguchi read recently about good and evil?

4. What does Isobe think about the fortuneteller he visits in Chapter 9?

5. How does Sanja think he will make a name for himself as a photographer?

6. What did the Catholic priests tell Tsu he should do if he believed Gandhi's quote, and what does Tsu do?

7. What does Tsu say when Mitsuko asks if he believes in reincarnation?

8. What does Mitsuko hear Kiguchi say in his feverish sleep?

9. What does Sanja intend to do when he comes downstairs the next morning in Chapter 13, and about what does Isobe warn him?

10. What do Mitsuko and Numada witness, and what are Mitsuko's feelings about the event?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about what they know, and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Shusaku Endo. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Endo's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Endo's probable agenda concerning that idea.

Essay Topic 2

Reincarnation is talked about throughout the book.

Discuss what you think are the characters’ and the author’s view on reincarnation. Use examples from Deep River to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 3

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action-driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

What do you think it means to say that a plot is character-driven or action-driven? Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why? Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character are developed to the same degree? Why or why not? What type of plot do you think Deep River is? Explain your response.

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