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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 does Ai Imajo offer to buy Eiji when they meet for breakfast in Chapter Seven?

2. Who is Pithecanthropus?

3. Who is Mrs. Yamaya?

4. Where do Ai Imajo and Eiji have breakfast in Chapter Seven?

5. In Eiji's dream at the beginning of Chapter Eight, who is grown-up in the dream?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is the earthquake in Tokyo at the end of Number Nine Dream real or fantasy?

2. In Chapter Five, from whom does Eiji receive a postcard, and how does the card indicate a shift in the writer's attitude toward Eiji?

3. Describe Eiji's dream about Mr. Aoyama.

4. Describe Eiji's dream about John Lennon and Lennon's song "#9 Dream".

5. How does Eiji's relationship with Ai Imajo change in Chapter Five?

6. What does Mrs. Yamaya's letter in Chapter Seven reveal about her relationship with the yakuza?

7. Explain who Mrs. Yamaya is and describe her visit with Eiji.

8. Why does the second truck driver Eiji rides with in Chapter Eight want to commit suicide and why does he change his mind?

9. How is the manuscript Eiji finds about Goatwriter an allegory for Eiji's own adventures?

10. Why is Eiji's grandfather disappointed in Eiji's father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Number Nine Dream is set in Japan, and the Japanese characters are affected by Japan's experience in World War II, geishas and concubines, and other aspects of traditional Japanese culture. Discuss how the geographical and cultural setting affect the story and how the characters and story might differ if David Mitchell had set the novel in the United States or England instead of Japan.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss symbolism and metaphor in Number Nine Dream. Give three examples of symbolism in the novel and discuss what the symbols are used to convey.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the role of the yakuza in Number Nine Dream. In what ways is the yakuza organization like a family? What do you think Eiji learns from his experiences with the yakuza? In what ways does the yakuza help Eiji find his own substitute family?

(see the answer keys)

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