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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 is the difference between the Erasmus and the galley headed to Osaka?

2. After Yabu decides not to kill the crew, where are they held?

3. What causes Toranaga to have trouble sleeping?

4. What does Blackthorne want to do?

5. Before the storm, who comes on deck to see Blackthorne piloting the ship while Rodrigues sleeps?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the political function of Yodoko in the novel?

2. What is the diversion that allows Toranaga, dressed as a woman, to change places with Kiri in the palanquin?

3. How does Omi persuade Blackthorne to come out of the pit?

4. How does Toranaga communicate with Blackthorne on their first meeting?

5. How is one of the crew brutally tortured to death?

6. Why does Blackthorne not take Rodrigues up on the offer to copy his rutters?

7. Why is the ship Toranaga is on unable to leave the harbor?

8. What does Rodrigues tell Blackthorne about the Japanese rowers on board the galley?

9. How is the conflict between Toranaga and Ishido presented as Ishido is introduced into the novel?

10. During the galley trip to Osaka, what happens with the weather?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, The Irony of Omi and Yabu. Begin with Omi's wanting to kill his uncle at the very beginning of the novel. Detail how Omi carries out Yabu's orders even though he despises him. Next point should be that it is Omi who brings the samurai to Toranaga whose testimony brings Yabu down. Conclude with the irony of Yabu naming Omi as his heir and selecting him to be his second at his seppuku.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, Imagine the Worst and Hope for the Best. Using Blackthorne as your example, make your points around Blackthorne's thinking he was going to be executed in prison only to find out that he has been jailed to protect him from Ishido; and his relief at finding the Erasmus in good condition. Translate that into an essay on how often times people expect the worst but find out things have a way of working out.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, Why I Loved (or Hated) SHÅŒGUN. This paper will be a critique of all the things you liked or did not like about Clavell's ability as a story teller, his use of language, his understanding of the Japanese culture, and his ability to keep interest up throughout the novel. Your conclusion will be either a recommendation of the novel or a pan of SHÅŒGUN.

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This section contains 691 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample