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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. For the letters to be translated, Joncour must promise what?

2. What activities do Helene and Joncour do while staying at the villa?

3. What does Joncour hear when the procession with the mistress goes by him?

4. How many girls do Helene and Joncour have?

5. In his later years, what does Joncour do once a year?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. When Joncour's wife asks about the aviary, what does he say to her? What do you think she is thinking about her husband's actions? Do you think she is aware that something is going on?

3. 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?

4. Why does the author describe the train trip so vividly returning from Japan on the fourth trip? What is the significance of the heat that Joncour sees on the fields and with the other passengers? What is he watching happening?

5. When Joncour arrives home nine days late, what does he ask of his wife? Why does he ask her this?

6. The letter describes a sexual encounter but eludes to fact that it has already happened? What does this mean?

7. Why do Joncour and Helene name a daughter Agnes? What is this referring to? Who is this a tribute to?

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. Why does Joncour take Baldabiou to the house of Jean Berbeck that he buys? What is he looking for? Why does he think that Baldabiou will understand?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Joncour is a hero to his town, giving nearly all the town a way to make a living, and yet, he blindly pursues the mistress, knowing full well that he could lose everything for his town. Why does Joncour, in chapter after chapter, move toward his own destruction with little or no reservation to the damage he will do to his town or his wife? How can this man be so blind?

Essay Topic 2

Joncour, at the end of his life, is left with symbols of the past. What are the symbols in the novel, and how many does Joncour hold on to as he grows old? Was Joncour ever able to identify the symbols when he needed to? Is he later able to look back and see his errors in translating the symbols?

Essay Topic 3

Why does Joncour build a park? What is the significance of a windy day and the lake? Why is Joncour drawn to his lake on windy days? What is he thinking about when he sits by the lake after he first finishes the park and then later in the novel? Does the meaning, for him, change? How?

(see the answer keys)

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