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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 is the date on the next day after Isobe's visit to the village in Chapter 9?

2. Where is Tsu staying in Chapter 9?

3. How does Tsu say his Onion was brought to life?

4. Where does Tsu return at the opening of Chapter 11?

5. What does Mitsuko ask the nuns that she sees carting away a dying woman?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Isobe travel out to a village near the city?

2. What significance is there to the next day, October 31st?

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

4. What does Numada do with the myna bird he bought?

5. What does Tsu feel he is doing when he carries an old, dying woman to the river?

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

7. Of what is Tsu capable only in his dreams?

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

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

10. Why does Tsu leave Mitsuko after talking briefly with her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Deep River belongs to the historical fiction genre. Discuss the following:

Define the literary term "genre" and name three other genres in addition to the historical fiction genre. What are the advantages and disadvantages of assigning a genre to a novel? What do you think is the difference between a historical fiction and a historical novel or mystery?

Essay Topic 3

Isobe cannot let go of his wife, in part because he never fulfilled their connection in life.

Discuss what you think is meant by the above statement. Use examples from Deep River to support your discussion.

(see the answer keys)

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