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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 Ruth say that gets Dan's attention as he is leaving the juice stand?

2. What has bothered Dan since the surfboard incident?

3. What grant is Millman awarded?

4. What happens to a student at Oberlin despite prayers?

5. What does the author do on his wedding night?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the phrase that Ruth uses that catches Dan's attention and how would you characterize their encounter?

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

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

4. How has Mama Chia been healing Dan and what do you think of her method?

5. Dan imagines all sorts of monsters floating beneath his surfboard; what might this metaphorically represent?

6. What is the island of Molokai and why is it appropriate that Dan wash up on its shore?

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

8. Dan falls asleep, which could be what is called in literary terms, a "narrative contrivance." What do you think that means in context of this story and Dan falling asleep?

9. Dan tries to stay awake and conscious because he's afraid of what might happen if he falls asleep. Do you think this is symbolic of anything?

10. What does the college give Dan and where does he go?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Once Dan has found Ruth Johnson, she gives him a note with some instructions. Discuss the following:

Do you think Dan is wise to blindly follow the note which has him do something that is quite foolhardy?

Given that Dan later learns that he lost part of the note and he was supposed to take food, water and sunscreen, do you think if he had had the complete set of instructions from the beginning he would have been justified in following the path he chooses?

There is a aphorism, "no pain, no gain." Does this saying apply in Dan's experience with the surfboard?

Essay Topic 2

Dan says that Mama Chia mentions an Arab aphorism, "Trust God but tie the camel." Discuss the following:

Research and discuss the origins of this saying and to what it originally applied.

How does Mama Chia use it in the context of this book? Does it seem appropriate?

How does Dan respond to her statement? Does he "tie his camel"? Discuss fully.

Essay Topic 3

Mama Chia leads Dan to a village of people suffering from leprosy. Discuss the following:

What is Dan's initial reaction to his "assignment" from Mama Chia? Why?

How and why does Dan's attitude eventually change? Does the change seem sincere?

What do you think is the purpose of this situation in which Mama Chia places Dan?

How do you think you would handle a similar situation?

(see the answer keys)

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