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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. Where does Ono believe his own mannerisms come from?

2. Why does Ono introduce Kenji into the conversation in Noriko's kitchen?

3. How does Matsuda describe the contribution he and Ono made?

4. Why does Matsuda say he never married?

5. How does Ono feel about the future of Japan?

Short Essay Questions

1. The reader learns some news about Noriko at the same time Matsuda does. What is the news?

2. After re-establishing contact with Matsuda during Noriko's marriage negotiations, what contact have Ono and Matsuda had before Matsuda dies?

3. Why does the smell of burning still make Ono uneasy while he is relaxing in Matsuda's garden?

4. How does Ono console himself that he did not visit his old friend as often as he had intended to?

5. What does Matsuda say about his own perspective now that he is old and ill?

6. What European influences distinguished Moriyama's work from Utamaro's?

7. Why does Ono approve of his teacher's distancing himself from his students' discussions?

8. What does Ono say the New Japan proved about him and about Matsuda?

9. Why does Ono admire Sugimura's work on Kawabe Park, even though Sugimura failed to accomplish his goals?

10. What has changed since 1948 in regards to Ono's painting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are several places in this story where a character's speech does not reflect their actual opinions. Setsuko's conversations with her father are examples. Select and analyze a scene where you are able to establish that what is being said is not genuine. How do you know? How is the writer able to convey that double message to you as a reader?

Essay Topic 2

What do you see as Ishiguro's overarching theme in this story? Why did he write it? What is he trying to teach, and to whom? Consider the fact that the book was published first in English.

Essay Topic 3

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."

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