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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. What can be said of Komako's mood when she is with Shimamura in the first half of Part One of the novel?

2. After he has climbed up the mountain for fun, how does Shimamura descend again?

3. In Shimamura's room at night, what does Komako say she will do until she has recovered from her ailment?

4. How is Komako described by the old woman Shimamura meets in the latter half of Part One ?

5. Who tells Shimamura about the unlicensed geisha, Komako?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is Shimamura headed at the beginning of the story, and who does he plan to meet?

2. Why does Komako have to leave before daylight?

3. What symbolism does Shimamura see in the reflection of Yoko's face in the window?

4. When Shimamura arrives for his second visit to the resort town, how many days does Komako say it has it been since she and Shimamura spent their night together, and how can she be sure of this?

5. Why were there no geisha available when Shimamura requested one?

6. What hobby interest does Shimamura have?

7. What kind of relationship does Shimamura apparently want with Komako?

8. While sitting on the train on his way to the resort town, what does Shimamura discreetly look at?

9. What distracts Shimamura after leaving his inn and the young geisha, and what does he do?

10. What does Shimamura notice about Yoko's care of her sick companion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Shimamura, the protagonist of the novel, is a complicated and distant character. Although the reader follows the story from Shimamura's point of view, his inner-thoughts are largely left a mystery. Discuss the characterization of the protagonist, Shimamura.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss art and culture as it relates to the novel. What traditional Japanese art and customs are mentioned in the novel? What significance do these examples have on the novel and characters?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the ending of the book. What is your interpretation of the ending scene? What significance does it have in regards to the novel as a whole? Is the ending satisfactory?

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