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

2. What agreement do Buntaro and Mariko come to?

3. What is in the coded message to Blackthorne from Yabu?

4. Who prevents Blackthorne from killing himself?

5. What has Toranga been ordered to do?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are the circumstances that call off the attack against Mariko after the bomb goes off?

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

4. How does Toranaga attempt to make peace between Buntaro and Mariko?

5. How does Omi further attempt to ingratiate himself with Lord Toranaga?

6. What is the unusual request Buntaro makes of Blackthorne.

7. What unusual battle plan does Toranaga come up with to use against Ishido?

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

9. Describe Blackthorne's introduction to Kiku.

10. Why is Buntaro so antagonistic toward 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, The Absurdity of Religious Wars. Use Toranaga as an example when he can scarcely believe that wars in Europe have centered around religious differences. Discuss the oxymoron of a "holy war." Give examples from history to the present day when war has been declared over religion.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Write an essay of at least two typewritten, double spaced pages on the topic, Feudalism in Shōgun. Your points should include the use of peasants as slave labor, the exorbitant taxes placed on them, and the fear the ruling class has at the idea of peasants having access to guns.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 671 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample