2. What is the lake along the Chinese border that Joncour passes on his trip to Japan?
(a) Lake Bonsai.
(b) Lake Hermosa.
(c) Lake Russia.
(d) Lake Baikal.

3. What is Helene's most beautiful attribute?
(a) She has a beautiful face.
(b) She has a beautiful voice.
(c) She has beautiful hair.
(d) She has beautiful feet.

4. What does Joncour do for the rest of the year when he's not working?
(a) He reads to his wife.
(b) He writes on his novel.
(c) He plays with his children.
(d) He rests.

5. What is Madame Blanche's street address?
(a) 18 rue de Monico.
(b) 12 rue Moscot.
(c) 12th street.
(d) 6416 Blanchard St.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Joncour view life?

2. How far does Joncour travel for eggs on his first trip outside of Europe?

3. What happens to Joncour's neighbor in the end?

4. What work does the Englishman do that Joncour meets in the Japanese village?

5. What does Joncour enjoy in life?

Short Essay Questions

1. How much of the year does Joncour work? How much time does he have for leisure? Describe his work routine.

2. For the third trip to Japan, who decides that Joncour should go? How much say does he have in this decision?

3. When Baldabiou first broaches the idea of going to Japan for silk eggs, why do the local silk manufacturers not know anything about Japan?

4. What happened when Jean Berbeck decided not to speak anymore? Why is this significant information in getting to know the character of Joncour?

5. What is the symbolism of the exotic birds kept caged at the house of Hara Kei? What does this tell Joncour? What else does Joncour see at Hara Kei's house?

6. How does Baldabiou convince the Mayor to establish factories that produce silk? How does money play into the decision for Baldabiou? How does money affect the decision of the Mayor?

7. Why does the young girl accompanying Hara Kei not have an Asian slant to her eyes? Does this give the reader a clue to her past? What?

8. Describe how silk eggs hatch and what happens to them.

9. How does the author describe the character of the Mayor? How is the telling of his story told in a circular fashion?

10. Why does Joncour arrive in Hara Kei's village on foot? What message is he sending to the mistress?

(see the answer keys)

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