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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 the author do on his wedding night?

2. With what has Mama Chia put Dan in touch?

3. Why has Dan no sense of time or bearings?

4. What does the basic self become?

5. Who takes care of Dan when he is recovering from his days at sea?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mama Chia tell Dan after waking him from sleeping for 36 hours, and what do you think she means?

2. What does Dan do while in India?

3. What does Dan say about death and how do you think he will overcome his feelings about it?

4. What do you think about what Mama Chia says about suffering?

5. For what is Dan searching in India and why does he choose India?

6. Did you think it is smart of Dan to just mount a surfboard and go out from shore having no experience with this kind of activity?

7. What is the irony of Dan's situation out on the vast Pacific Ocean?

8. How does Ruth respond to Dan's appearance at the party and what do you think this foreshadows?

9. How does Dan feel about his personal connection to India?

10. What is Dan's ultimate conclusion about his time in India?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While Millman is in India, he does many of the things Westerners seems to do when they are searching in the Near East for "enlightenment." Discuss the following:

What are some of the activities in which Dan participates in his travels in India?

Why do you think the things Dan does in India do not seem to bring him the results for which he is hoping?

Why do you think many Westerners see India/Nepal/Tibet as places where they can find a spiritual path/enlightenment?

Essay Topic 2

As Mama Chia and Dan are hiking, Mama Chia declares that Dan is strong enough to carry her backpack and sets off. Dan laments, knowing that he is supposed to do something but does nothing. Discuss one of the following:

Analyze what you think Dan is supposed to do and why he seems paralyzed in inaction.

How does Dan finally overcome his inability to do what he is supposed to do?

Do you feel there is something important in your life that you are to do? Discuss your approach to fulfilling that sense of purpose.

Essay Topic 3

When Dan admits to Mama Chia that he is drained and depressed, she says that he is on the right track. Discuss one of the following:

How do you think something like depression or fatigue can mean one is on the right track in a search for spiritual enlightenment? Discuss fully with examples from the text and personal experience.

If Dan is on the right track as he is feeling drained and depressed, what do you think Mama Chia's response would be at this point in the book if Dan said he is elated and optimistic? Explain fully.

What can states of being such as depression teach someone? Elaborate fully.

(see the answer keys)

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