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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 Zodiac sign can include being tricky?

2. Who writes frequent letters to each other?

3. Who is waiting for Pearl in her bedroom?

4. Where is Joy wandering just after she runs away from home?

5. What does the agent do before allowing Joy to enter China?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Joy's trip to China.

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

3. Why does Z. G. rebuke Joy for sneaking off with Tao?

4. With who does Pearl regularly correspond and how does she help Pearl?

5. What organization does Joy join in college and why does she end up in China?

6. Who is Joy attracted to in the Green Dragon Village and how do the two interact?

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

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

9. What are some of the lies Joy discovers about her family?

10. Of what do Pearl's housemates accuse her, and who seems to be supportive of her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes "Dreams of Joy" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Joy. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Pearl. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Z. G. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

4. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Tao. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Over the course of "Dreams of Joy", Joy grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "Dreams of Joy" might be considered a slice of Joy's larger story of her "coming of age." It might be said that "Dreams of Joy" is a "bildungsroman" of Joy. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Joy as she changes from a more carefree, innocent girl to a wiser, young woman. What are the significant events that change Joy?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Joy's growth throughout "Dreams of Joy", do you think "Dreams of Joy" could be considered Joy's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "Dreams of Joy" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

(see the answer keys)

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