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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. The narrator describes truly happy families as occurring as frequently as what other phenomenon?

2. At what point in her life does Scheherazade say she had realized her former status as a particular creature?

3. How does the narrator of "An Independent Organ" describe the level of success enjoyed by Dr. Tokai's medical practice?

4. What is NOT listed among Dr. Tokai's favorite pleasures when it comes to spending time with women?

5. Kamita gives Kino what explicit advice as Kino sets off on his long journey?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Scheherazade's routine upon arriving at Habara's house twice per week.

2. To what work is the title of the story "Scheherazade" referring and what is the significance of the title?

3. What type of doctor is Dr. Tokai and how does his job relate to his preferred habits regarding dating?

4. How does Kino come to own a bar and what had he done for work prior to the purchase?

5. Around the time Kino's cat disappears, what other creatures begins to show up outside of the bar and what do they symbolize?

6. How does the theme of appearance versus reality emerge within the stories that Scheherazade tells to Habara?

7. What attitude does the unnamed narrator have about the prospect of having children?

8. In what ways is the unnamed narrator of "An Independent Organ" suggested to be possibly unreliable?

9. Name the mysterious elements present within the story "Scheherazade" that are not resolved by the end of the story.

10. Discuss the significance of Murakami's use of a simile to describe the moment when Dr. Tokai falls in love.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Murakami's treatment of the topic of sex within his short story collection Men Without Women.

Essay Topic 2

What is the function of the unnamed narrator in the story Men Without Women? Discuss the characterization methods used by the author in depicting the unnamed narrator and include in your discussion the reasons that the author portrays the character in these particular ways.

Essay Topic 3

Write a critical essay about Haruki Murakami's short story collection Men Without Women while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the book's treatment of gender roles, the objectification of women, female empowerment, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the book.

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