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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. Where does Komako tell Yoko she had considered going when they met early in this section?

2. What kind of grass used to thatch roofs does Shimamura see some women carrying?

3. What is Komako told about Yukio at the train station?

4. What does Komako say repeatedly when she and Shimamura return to his room after their night out?

5. Who does Shimamura hear Komako discussing her fee with?

Short Essay Questions

1. What explanation does Komako give about her rumored engagement to Yukio?

2. What is the bird chasing festival?

3. After delivering a note to Shimamura, what does Yoko ask of him concerning her travel plans?

4. What is Komako's point in relating Kikuyu's story to Shimamura?

5. At the time of Shimamura's return in Part 2, what is Komako's financial situation like?

6. Why does Komako not want to visit Yukio's grave?

7. Describe Komako's drunken arrival at Shimamura's room at three in the morning.

8. After Yukio's death, what does Komako inform Shimamura about Yoko in Part Two of the novel?

9. What is Komako's reaction to the news that Yukio is dying?

10. What does Shimamura find when he awakes at the beginning of this section of Part One?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss common themes of Japanese literature. How does the novel "Snow Country" represent Japanese literature and Japanese culture as a whole?

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of ambiguous scenes and characters in the novel. Discuss the author's use of ambiguity and why you think he so often leaves it to the reader to interpret.

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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This section contains 743 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample