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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What spreads to Africa and India in the 1860s?
(a) The silk-manufacturing business.
(b) The plague.
(c) Pebrine silkworm disease.
(d) Buddhism.

2. What does the mistress do before she leaves Joncour with his present?
(a) She tells him that she loves him.
(b) She asks if she can go with him.
(c) She tells him to leave and never return.
(d) She kisses his hand and disappears into the night.

3. Where does Joncour take his wife on their first summer trip in the novel?
(a) To Japan.
(b) To the French Riviera.
(c) To Paris.
(d) To Egypt.

4. What does Baldabiou say it is like to hold Japanese silk?
(a) It is like air.
(b) It is rough.
(c) It is like holding nothing.
(d) It is as soft as a baby's cheek.

5. After Hara Kei's mistress dries off Joncour after his bath, what does she put in his hand?
(a) A piece of silk.
(b) A silk egg.
(c) A note with Japanese writing.
(d) A small bird.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Joncour get across the Japanese harbor?

2. When Baldabiou assembles all of Lavelledieu's silk manufacturers, what do they think of Japan?

3. On what ship did Joncour sail to Egypt?

4. What does Baldabiou observe about the silkworm trade in 1861?

5. What novel is Flaubert writing at the time in the novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. After his travels to Africa, how does Joncour describe his trip when someone asks? Why does he not give a better description?

2. On his second trip to Japan, Joncour sits at the lake with Hara Kei and they are described as "Holding their peace." What do you think the author means by this? Where else have you heard this expression? Do you think there is a connection between a reference to a wedding and a mistress?

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

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

5. When Hara Kei asks Joncour who he is, what does he tell him? Why does he give so much detail? Is it necessary to tell the whole truth? Why does Joncour do this?

6. When Joncour turns 33-years-old, how does the author describe his life? How is peace compared to rain? Why do you think the author used this description?

7. What happens every time Hara Kei appears? Who leaves? Is this by design? Why do you think that?

8. What is Madame Blanche's calling card? What does she give the men she sleeps with?

9. Why does Baldabiou share the secrets of silk? What does this say about Baldabiou?

10. Do you think Joncour's feminine attributes played into his father's decision that Joncour should pursue a life in the military? What does this say about the character of Joncour's father? What does this say about Joncour?

(see the answer keys)

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