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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 special object does Yuki carry with her to the wedding?

2. What kind of a student is Yuki?

3. What does Hideki's bride wear to the wedding ceremony?

4. For what does Hanae blame Hideki?

5. Why do Yuki and Aunt Aya go to Kobe at the beginning of Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Yuki find herself unable to speak about Monet's painting in front of the class?

2. Why does Yuki hope to never fall in love? On what does she base her mistrust in love?

3. On the day of her father's wedding, what does Yuki promise her Aunt Aya that she will do? Does she keep her promise?

4. How are Hideki's marriage and his position at work related?

5. In Chapter 13, why is Hanae angry with the way Hideki raised Yuki?

6. Describe Yuki through Masa's eyes in the beginning of Chapter 14.

7. In the beginning of Chapter 12, what does Yuki intend to do with Shizuko's stored belongings in the attic?

8. In Chapter 16, how does Yuki use Masa's kimonos to keep healthy, happy reminders of the past in her life?

9. Why does her Aunt Aya compliment Yuki on the day of the wake?

10. Is Hideki affectionate toward Yuki?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how the author's choice to include multiple points of view changes the perceptions of the reader.

• How has including the perspectives of other characters changed the role of Yuki? Has it influenced how one views her?

• Does reading the point of view of another character allow for more understanding or sympathy? Why or why not?

• How has this narrative technique helped the story? How has it hindered it?

• Why has the author chosen these particular sections to switch the point of view, particularly in the epilogue? What are some possible reasons to do so?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the mother-daughter relationships in the novel.

Part 1) Describe Shizuko's relationship with Yuki.

Part 2) Is Shizuko a traditional Japanese mother? Why or why not? In what way is Shizuko a role model to her daughter?

Part 3) Compare and contrast Yuki's relationship with Shizuko to Yuki's relationship with her stepmother Hanae.

Part 4) Compare and contrast Yuki's relationship with Shizuko with Sachiko's relationship with her mother, Mrs. Murai.

Essay Topic 3

Examine Yuki's relationship with her father and stepmother and how the lack of respect from all involved parties has created a rift in the family. Yuki is utterly unable to connect with her new set of parents after Shizuko's death, and in turn, Hideki and Hanae find Yuki to be contemptible.

Part 1) How does Yuki's initial behavior at Hideki and Hanae's wedding set the tone for their future relationship?

Part 2) How does Yuki's attitude toward her father and stepmother compound their overall disdain and mistrust?

Part 3) What other factors contribute toward the lack of communication and understanding between family members?

Part 4) How does Hanae create tension between Hideki and Yuki? Is she the primary aggressor of the household? Why or why not?

Part 5) Takeo tells Yuki that respect must be earned before it can be given. What is he trying to tell Yuki?

(see the answer keys)

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