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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 Shintaro paint now that the war is over?

2. Why does Ono's father object to his becoming an artist?

3. What does Ono believe he gained from his admission?

4. How does the Bridge of Hesitation get its name?

5. How many regular customers does Mrs. Kawakami have now that the war is over?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Shintaro ask Ono to do for him?

2. Why does Ono's father burn his paintings?

3. What prediction does Setsuko's mother make about her that is now proving accurate?

4. How does the Bridge of Hesitation get its name?

5. Why does Suichi become angry at Kenji's funeral ceremony?

6. What does Ono conceal from Noriko in the weeks leading up to her miai?

7. Why does Ono decide to watch Mitsuo during the miai?

8. Suichi says that American heroes are better role models for his son that Japanese heroes. Why would that be?

9. How does Saito regard the demonstrations in the streets?

10. Why does Enchi treat Ono in such a friendly way when he arrives to visit Kuroda?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the miai, Saito suggests that boys should not be confined, but should be allowed to run free even when they hurt themselves. He uses this as an argument in support of the street demonstrations which he views as legitimate use of freedom of speech. The maturation of boys to men is a significant theme in this story. The men, from Matsuda arguing with his caregiver, Suzuki, to Ono's arguments with his daughters about Ichiro seeing a scary movie and drinking sake, argue for freedom and the women urge restraint and greater care. Using examples from the text, select one character and write about their maturation process. Ichiro, Kenji, Kuroda, or Ono himself would be good possibilities. Are these developing men symbols of their country as a whole? is it, as Taro Saito suggests, a baby democracy learning how to govern itself?

Essay Topic 2

Ono recalls a rumor that Sugimura built a long corridor in his house to distance himself from his parents. Analyze Ono's relationship with his own father and with his two mentors, Takeda and Moriyama. Consider also that his daughters have moved at a distance from him, visiting only once a year. What do you think Ishiguro is telling his readers about parent-child relationships? Do you agree with his ideas?

Essay Topic 3

What do you make of the fact that Ono's paintings are not on display even in his own home, and that he will not show them even to his own grandson? What does it tell you that Ono will not draw or paint with Ichiro, although he encourages the boy to draw? What does it tell you that at the end of the story he tells Matsuda that he is painting again? Analyze what Ono's art work means to him in the context of these facts.

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