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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 tone are the letters written in?
(a) An excited tone.
(b) A happy tone.
(c) A sexual tone.
(d) A bland tone.

2. What does Joncour find on Helene's grave 2 months after she dies?
(a) Tulips.
(b) A note.
(c) A wreath of blue flowers.
(d) Red roses.

3. What does Joncour do in the house he buys?
(a) He re-paints.
(b) He empties it out.
(c) He cleans it up.
(d) He sits.

4. What are the rumors about Joncour when he returns from Japan the fourth time?
(a) That he is crazy.
(b) The rumors range from swindler to saint.
(c) That he is wealthy because Hara Kei gave him money.
(d) That he left his wife.

5. The morning after Joncour catches up with Hara Kei's procession, what does he find?
(a) The boy hanging from a tree.
(b) The mistress hanging from a tree.
(c) Hara Kei hanging from a tree.
(d) The army killing the boy.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do the letters say that are sent to Joncour after his last trip to Japan?

2. How many days does Joncour wait for Hara Kei's emissary on the fourth trip?

3. Where is the event held that Helene and Joncour attend on the Riviera?

4. Where do the two Italians get good eggs from?

5. Why does Baldabiou NOT want to send Joncour back to Japan for a fourth trip?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Helene pretend not to notice the letters when they are clearly in plain sight?

2. How did the changes in the world described in Chapter 54 change Joncour's world? How did these changes affect the silk trade? Explain.

3. On his fourth trip to Japan, what does Joncour find when he arrives at Hara Kei's village? How does he see the village? What is the state of the village a symbol of?

4. What does Joncour know about the Englishman they meet at the Riviera at the baron's birthday party? What is he wearing? Why is he upset when he looks at his wife and the Englishman?

5. For the fourth trip to Japan, who makes the decision to go? Why is this startling? Why does Baldabiou lie to everyone except Helene about the trip?

6. What happens the morning after Hara Kei's party? Why do you think Hara Kei left? How does Joncour find the aviary? What is this saying to Joncour?

7. The envelope that Joncour receives is mailed from Ostend, which is in Belgium. Who do you think sent the letters knowing this information?

8. When Joncour finally tells Baldabiou about the girl in Japan he says, "To die of nostalgia for something you will never live," what does he mean?

9. Helene runs after Baldabiou at the train station and they embrace and she cries. What does this tell the reader about their relationship? Do you think something happened?

10. On the fourth trip to Japan, describe the young boy that Joncour follows? What is he playing? Why would he play music as they wander through the villages?

(see the answer keys)

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