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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. How does Ono feel about the demonstrations in the streets?

2. What has changed in the city between 1948 and 1949?

3. What position is Shintaro applying for?

4. Why does Ono believe the Miyakes withdrew their offer of marriage?

5. What is taking the place of the bars of the old pleasure district?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Mrs. Kawakami hesitating to decide?

2. What does Noriko accuse Ono of when he is working in the garden?

3. Why is Ono worried about Kuroda's attitude now?

4. What is the difference in Noriko's behavior between her first and second miai?

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

6. Why does Ono say he would never forgive himself if he became like his father?

7. Ono says that he would not have made his admission of guilt at the miai had he not felt compelled to do so. What social situation compelled him?

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

9. How does Taro behave during the miai?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many questions in this story are left unanswered or answered only by implication. Did Ono's father burn his paintings? Did Moriyama burn his paintings? Why did the Miyakes withdraw from the marriage negotiations? Discuss such subtleties and ambiguities as a stylistic device for you as a reader. Do you find it intriguing? Frustrating? Both? Neither? For instance, how would the story have been different if the author had simply said, "The Miyakes withdrew abruptly from the marriage negotiations when they talked to Kuroda and learned that Ono had turned him in to the patriotism committee," or "My father tried to teach me that art was an unacceptable career choice by burning my paintings."

Essay Topic 2

We learn about Suichi's character through what he instructs Setsuko, what he wants for Ichiro, and the way he behaves when Kenji's ashes are brought home. Describe this young man based on textual evidence. Ono expresses the belief that Suichi has been "embittered." What embittered him?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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