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

2. According to Childan, what is special about some of the people his shop gives him the opportunity to meet?

3. What is discovered as being the source of W-M Corporation's real profit?

4. What does the mystery client encourage Childan to report?

5. In Chapter 6, what does The Oracle predict that further distresses Tagomi?

Short Essay Questions

1. Juliana responds to the radio commentary about the potential new Chancellor by saying, "Those murderers are talked about as if they are like the rest of us." Joe responds,"There isn't anything they've done that we wouldn't have done if we'd been in their places." What does Joe mean by this? What proof has Joe offered to support his opinion?

2. What is Childan's plan when he makes an appointment with his supplier, Ray Calvin? What does this further reveal about his character? Do you feel this is a realistic reaction?

3. 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?

4. 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 ?

5. What new insight does Chapter 5 give the reader into the character of Baynes? What might this be foreshadowing?

6. While consulting the I Ching, Frank thinks of how "his life was bound up with all other lives and particles in the universe." What does this mean? How might it be applied to Chapter 1 and serve as foreshadowing for the rest of the novel?

7. In Chapter 5, what is further learned about the book The Grasshopper Lies Heavy from Rita's conversation with Wyndam-Matson? How does this conversation create a conflict between them?

8. The voice of the radio quotes from The Bible, "What profit it a man if he gain the whole world but in this enterprise lose his soul?" How does this apply to what we have witnessed of this world in Chapter 1?

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The early 1960s, the time period this novel was both written and set in, was a predominantly male-oriented society where the female was often considered weak and inferior. In what way does Philip Dick's novel support this attitude? In what way has it broken from the stereotype? What do you feel is his message about gender stereotyping? Give examples to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Both Childan, when speaking with Paul about Edfrank Jewelry, and Tagomi, upon his return to his office, refer to the masks they wear. Explain what is meant by this. Discuss how it applies to these two characters and to others in the novel. Explain further how this concept helps develop a main theme of the novel.

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of the novel's title, The High Castle, both at a literal and symbolic level? What is the further significance of what Juliana learns about it when she finally meets Abendsen? What does Philip Dick appear to be saying through the multiple levels of meaning and the change that takes place? Be thorough and specific in your discussion.

(see the answer keys)

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