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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. Chapter 5 marks the end of _________________.

2. Where are the three peasants paraded?

3. What does Rodrigues have to try and identify the objects as?

4. What did Yokoso-no-Ura used to be?

5. What word best describes Rodrigues' prison cell?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rodrigues realize in Chapter 7?

2. How does Rodrigues contradict his own advice during his captivity?

3. What do Ferreria and Rodrigues talk about in Chapter 7?

4. How can Rodriguez's actions in Chapter 5 be deemed as wrong?

5. What does Rodrigues think when Kichijiro brings him rice?

6. What does the samurai say has happened to Ferreira?

7. How does Rodrigues react to the sound of his jailer snoring?

8. How does the interpreter treat Rodrigues now that he is employed by the magistrate?

9. Why can Rodrigues and Ferreira no longer get along?

10. What are Rodrigues' feelings towards Ferreira?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Endo use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Aside from the main character, Rodrigues, examine the way Endo uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 2

Silence is part of the historical fiction genre.

1) What are the conventions of the historical fiction genre in terms of character, language and plot?

2) In what way did Silence help to set the template for similar novels? Do modern novels still use the ideas used in Silence?

Essay Topic 3

Endo was a Catholic. Using two examples from the novel, discuss the ways the story reflects Endo's beliefs and the problems he may have faced as a part of a minority group.

(see the answer keys)

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