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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. On the night of the festival, who asks Shimamura whether he ever worries about other people's problems?

2. At night with Shimamura, who does Komako say spend all of their time at the cemetery?

3. What obstacle can the drunken Komako not believe she surpassed on her own to reach Shimamura's room?

4. When Komako comes to Shimamura's room drunk, what does she ask him to cut for her?

5. What answer does Komako give to Shimamura's questions about her engagement?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Shimamura make his third trip to the resort town?

2. What is the bird chasing festival?

3. What is the content of the first note Komako sends to Shimamura, and who does she have deliver it?

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

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

6. What occupation did Yoko once consider, and why did she give it up?

7. How does Komako practice her samisen playing?

8. Who has Komako signed a geisha contract with and where does she live?

9. Who is on the train with Shimamura when he leaves the resort town for the second time, and how do they disappoint him?

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 the relationship of Shimamura and Komako. In your opinion, what is the true nature of their relationship? Do they love each other? What problems have they faced?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how the narrative is affected by the point of view used in the novel. What is kept hidden from the reader because of this point of view?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the cold and isolated atmosphere of the novel. What is the author trying to express with this atmosphere?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 678 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample