View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Z.G. rebuke Joy?

2. Where do Joy and her father go?

3. Why did Joy's real father paint portraits of Joy's mother and aunt?

4. Who is Auntie Hu?

5. Why is Z. G. sent back to the commune?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the commune set up for The Great Leap Forward?

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

3. What does Pearl do every morning for a job and what does she find as she is performing her duties?

4. What assignment is Joy given in the village, and why?

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

6. What happens to Joy's stepfather, Sam, and how does Joy feel about it?

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

8. What does Pearl finally tell May about Joy and Z. G.?

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

10. What does Pearl learn about the whereabouts of Z. G. and Joy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Dreams of Joy". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "Dreams of Joy". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "Dreams of Joy". Consider the death of Mike as an random act of nature and the death of Luis as the result of conscious violence. Consider also in your answer the death of innocence in Rick from the beginning of the book to the end.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Lisa See.

2. What in See's background may have helped him in writing "Dreams of Joy"? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,138 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample