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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 serves as a symbol for Shinsuke's poverty?

2. What kind of beauty does Honjo appreciate?

3. What does the story-teller say Hanaburo's legs collapse like?

4. Who does the author say he sees slaying a dragon?

5. What does Hanzaburo become obsessed with hiding?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Shinsuke deal with what he calls his fake parents?

2. What is the life of the Stupid Man about?

3. What does Akutagawa hear on the phone?

4. How does Oshino try to control his kicking legs?

5. What are the author's feeling about religion during this time?

6. What does the Life of the Stupid Man say about Akutagawa's state of mind?

7. Describe the image at the river Shinsuke says affects him deeply.

8. How does the author end the story?

9. How does Akutagawa's wife increase his panic?

10. What does the doctor say is wrong with the baby?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the Loyalty story express about the Japanese Feudal system? How does the feudal system affect Shuri's decisions in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following and discuss how it affects the tone of the book and helps to express character and theme.

1. Setting

2. Point of view

3. Structure

4. Language

Essay Topic 3

Why does E'in falsely prophesize that a dragon will rise from the pond? What meaning does it give the story that his prophecy comes true? What would have happened if his lie was found out?

(see the answer keys)

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