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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. When it is revealed that Kafuku's new driver's surname is Watari, what is given as her first name?

2. What emotion does Kitaru's long-time girlfriend feel about her boyfriend's suggestion that Tanimura take her out on a date?

3. At what type of location do Kitaru, Tanimura, and Kitaru's long-time girlfriend meet for the first time?

4. The title of the story "Yesterday" is an allusion to a song by what band?

5. The narrator states that Kafuku generally remains silent unless what condition is met?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which of Misaki Watari's qualities make her a perfect fit for her role as Kafuku's personal driver?

2. How does Tanimura characterize the Kansai dialect spoken by his friend Kitaru?

3. How do Tanimura and Kitaru first meet?

4. How is the theme of regret depicted within Kafuku's reflections on his late wife and their life together?

5. What does the narrator describe as "the most excruciating thing" (17) about Kafuku's experience of knowing about his wife's affairs?

6. How does the theme of perseverance emerge within Erika's comments about Tanimura's break-up with his high school girlfriend?

7. Discuss Kafuku's history with his beloved Saab.

8. How does Kitaru justify to Tanimura his butchering of the lyrics to the Beatles' song Yesterday?

9. How is the theme of transformation depicted within the ending of the story "Drive My Car"?

10. Describe Misaki Watari's appearance.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Haruki Murakami's short story collection Men Without Women. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Determine the author's message regarding the maxim that it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze Murakami's focus on the theme of transformation in Haruki Murakami's short story collection Men Without Women. What message is being sent about the nature of change?

(see the answer keys)

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