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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. Who does the protagonist initially assume is the "missing Asian"?

2. What does Turner call the protagonist during his testimony?

3. What does the prosecution try to do at the very beginning of the trial?

4. What time period in Taiwan is represented in Karen and Phoebe's new show?

5. After the trial, where does the protagonist find himself?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the police come for the protagonist, where does Karen say he is going, and what evidence is there that she does not really understand the protagonist's plan?

2. Why does the protagonist react badly both to the news about the baby and the later news about Karen's new show?

3. What is Green's argument when she accuses the protagonist of narcissism?

4. On page 188, the script notes that Karen and Phoebe's show is "a cartoon. Sort of." In what sense is this both literally and figuratively true?

5. What happens to Ming-Chen Wu when he finally gets the role of Sifu?

6. In what ways does "ACT V: KUNG FU DAD" show that Phoebe's innocence and youth are protective?

7. In what sense does Older Brother agree that the protagonist is guilty?

8. What are the main points that the protagonist makes in his monologue?

9. When Ming-Chen tells Dorothy, on page 155, "This is how we met. And fell in love," what is Dorothy's response, and what compromise do they reach?

10. What causes the protagonist to finally go in search of his family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay that examines the recurring scenes from Black and White in "Act II: Int. Golden Palace." Discuss the significance of what stays constant and what changes, and offer a theory about what this recursive structure is attempting to point out. Be sure to use textual evidence to support your claims.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay in which you consider Chinatown--both the Chinatown of the novel and real-world Chinatowns--as simulacra. Use evidence from the novel and from outside sources to evaluate how these various "Chinatowns" function as simulated replacements for reality. Be sure to cite your sources in MLA format.

Essay Topic 3

Write a thesis-driven essay in which you analyze the ambitions of Willis Wu. What are his ambitions, and where do they come from? At what point do his ambitions cease being merely about wanting material security (a safe and comfortable place to live, enough food to eat, etc.) and start to be about something more intangible (ego, status, etc.) Are these ambitions inherent in his personality, or are his ideas about success derived from culture, family, or some other source? Be sure to provide textual support for your claims.

(see the answer keys)

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