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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 does Joy tell Joe when she calls him?

2. In what typeface is the entire Prologue written?

3. According to Auntie Hu, how can Pearl reclaim many of her old belongings?

4. What does Pearl sometimes sneak and keep?

5. Who does May think about finding in China?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Pearl visit one morning and how does the older woman seem?

2. Where are Joy and Z. G. going after leaving the Green Dragon Village and what does Z. G. say Joy will have the opportunity to do?

3. What happens when Joy calls her boyfriend Joe when she is wandering through Chinatown?

4. Describe Joy's trip to China.

5. What do Z. G. and Joy begin doing immediately at the commune, and why is the work so grueling?

6. What does Pearl think about concerning Joy's father, Z. G.?

7. What does Pearl find when she goes to her childhood home?

8. What does Joy think about when listening to the propaganda about working hard?

9. What does Pearl think about as she goes after Joy?

10. How does Joy get into China?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Dreams of Joy" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Dreams of Joy"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Dreams of Joy" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Pearl and May. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Z.G. and Dun. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "Dreams of Joy" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

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:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "Dreams of Joy" is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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