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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 have Frank's feelings for the Japanese changed over the years?

2. What does Baynes say they must wait for before he and Tagomi can meet?

3. What word would sum up Frank's opinion of McCarthy?

4. Why does Tagomi feel it would be better if his assistant, Ramsey, selected the gift for Baynes?

5. According to Tagomi, what aspect of the German massacre of the Jews caused the Japanese to refuse to participate?

Short Essay Questions

1. Wyndam-Matson and his girlfriend get into a long discussion about historicity. What is historicity? What point does Wyndam-Matson make about it? How is this idea supported in the novel?

2. In Chapter 4, Frank speaks of Gresham's Law. What does this law suggest? How does Childan's reaction to the discovery about some of his merchandise reflect his understanding of the importance of this law?

3. What appears to be the source of Juliana's depression at the start of Chapter 3? Why might this be considered to be ironic?

4. How is the mystery client that comes to place an expensive order with Childan described? What appears to be his real purpose? Who can you assume this client to be, and why is he doing this?

5. At the close of Chapter 6, we find Frank and McCarthy excited about starting their jewelry business. Despite this, Frank has some real concerns. Why? Are they legitimate?

6. In Chapter 1, the author introduces the characters of Mr. Tagomi and the Kasouras as clients of Childan through the juxtaposition of conversations he has with each. What do we learn about each as a result? How do these clients compare?

7. How do Childan's and Frank's perception of the Germans and the Japanese differ? What motivates these views?

8. One aspect of science fiction is that there is an element of the real world in it. What similarities can be seen in World War II and its aftermath as related in the High Castle and the history as we know it?

9. In Chapter 5, Tagomi tells Baynes that many books like the I Ching and The Bible are alive. What does he mean by this? How does this appear to be supported in the text up to the close of this chapter ?

10. Childan says of the Kasouras, "these new young people, of the rising generation, who did not remember the days before the war or even the war itself, - they were the hope of the world." What is meant by this? How do the Kasouras appear to prove him right?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During his dinner date at the Kasouras, Childan thinks, "The universe will never be extinguished because just when the darkness begins to smother all...the new seeds of light are reborn in the very depths." What does this quote mean? Explain how it applies, not only to the Kasouras, but to the overall novel as well.

Essay Topic 2

Science fiction is often said to have at its foundation a strong connection to the real world. Upon what historical realities did Philip Dick draw? What are some of the specific parallels he makes between Abendsen's world and his own? By doing this, how does this novel equally become a criticism of our own history?

Essay Topic 3

Authors have many techniques available to help them develop a character. These include physical description, dialogue with another character, personal thoughts or monologues, and comments from other characters or from the author himself. Select a character from the novel that you feel has been fully developed. Discuss how the character was given a personality through the author's use of the above techniques. Be specific with both character traits and how they were developed.

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