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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 leads Marlowe and the King to the village?

2. What do some men wonder about Marlowe and the King?

3. How long does Yoshima's staff search to find the new radio?

4. Who gets a letter from his wife?

5. What does the King promise if Marlowe will go bury the money in the jungle?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Marlowe and the King reestablish their friendship after the King blows up at Marlowe about the radio?

2. Describe the "birthday party" of the elite who are invited to a barbecue.

3. How do Marlowe and the King go outside to wire, and where do they go?

4. Why isn't Marlowe successful in going after the money and how is he care for with the medicines Timsen gets?

5. What does Dr. Kennedy say about Marlowe's arm?

6. What happens when the King offers Marlowe $108 dollars as Marlowe's take in the transaction with Prouty's watch?

7. Describe Tiny Timsen.

8. Describe Marlowe's visit with McCoy in the infirmary.

9. Who does the King invite to start up a rat breeding operation and what is the plan?

10. With what does Larkin surprise Marlowe and why does he do so?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Give a brief statement of the plot of KING RAT

2. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in KING RAT. How do you think KING RAT be different if this were a POW camp in Germany? In Italy?

3. Discuss thoroughly how you think a POW camp run by the Americans or British would differ from Changi. (This will require some research.)

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Compare and contrast the characters of Malowe and Lt. Grey. How are they the same? How are they different?

2. What do you think would have happened if these two characters, Marlowe and the King never existed in the story? Use events from the book where the direct influence of Marlowe and Lt. Grey have an impact on others.

3. Who is the better leader, Marlowe or Lt. Grey? Cite several examples from the book to support your case.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of power in KING RAT. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with power? Why? What are some symbols of power? Symbols of powerlessness? What characters seem powerless?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of survival in KING RAT. What characters are most concerned with survival? Why? What are some symbols of survival? Symbols of resignation? What characters seem determined to survive? Which ones seem not to care about survival? What is the difference between how the two types live?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of nationalism/patriotism. How does the POWs from each nation view patriotism/nationalism? Is patriotism important to the POWs? What about the Korean guards? The Japanese?

(see the answer keys)

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