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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 new class of young ladies that Gyoko suggests?

2. As Mariko's men are being killed off, what does she do?

3. What does Toranaga say to Buntaro about Blackthorne's head.

4. As Yabu and Toranaga head for the village, what are Omi and Mura discussing?

5. What does Yabu give Blackthorne?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Toranaga publicly honor Yabu?

2. Why is Buntaro so antagonistic toward Blackthorne?

3. What is Blackthorne's surprise about the rebuilding of his house after the earthquake and fire?

4. Why does Mariko travel to Osaka with scrolls for Kiri and Sazuko?

5. What event breaks up the birthday party for Ochiba?

6. How does Toranaga respond to Ishido's demand that he come to Osaka?

7. Why is Ochiba unsure of the parentage of Yaemon who is thought to be the son of Taikō?

8. What is the request Blackthorne makes of Toranaga regarding Mariko?

9. What is the problem between Toranaga and his half-brother Zataki?

10. Why does Toranaga lose his temper when Buntaro requests permission to kill Blackthorne?

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, What I think Happens to Blackthorne. Begin with Blackthorne's being given Kiku as a wife and everything he needs to build ships without knowing that Toranaga plans to destroy them all. Speculate on what you think ultimately becomes of Blackthorne. Give three possible scenarios: (1) he manages to get away by himself on a ship before Toranaga can destroy it; (2) he manages to get away with Kiku on a trading ship that comes to Osaka; or (3) he settles in comfortably with Kiku and remains in Japan for the rest of his life.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, Comparison of Samurai Brutality and Inquisition Torture. Your essay should include examples of torture methods used by both. Next, make a case for the inappropriate moral judgment of samurai use of torture and cruelty by Westerners. Conclude with your opinion about torture and human rights in general.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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