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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 Aso live?

2. How does Hiroshi amuse his father and Takanatsu in Chapter 4?

3. What does Takanatsu urge Kaname to do in Chapter 4?

4. What is the name of Misako's father's mistress?

5. What does Misako tell Takanatsu that she is in Chapter 7?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 7, what does Misako think will happen to her after her divorce becomes public knowledge?

2. Why does Misako think communication is improved with Kaname when Takanatsu mediates?

3. Why is Misako glad that Takanatsu is taking Hiroshi to Tokyo for a few days?

4. What sort of woman does Kaname tell Takanatsu he is looking for? What does Takanatsu joke about Kaname's post-divorce life?

5. In chapter 3, what does Kaname consider he has always hated? What does Kaname admit Osaka reminds him of?

6. What does Kaname think about the female puppet in the show? Who does the puppet remind him of and why?

7. What does Misako note about Peony's behavior when Peony and Kaname meet her at the train station? How does this relate to Kaname?

8. How does Misako feel at the beginning of Chapter 6?

9. In Chapter 5, what does Kaname realize he has been looking for during his entire marriage?

10. Why is Kaname conflicted about going to the puppet theater with his father-in-law?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of traditional versus modernity in the novel "Some Prefer Nettles." What are some examples of the traditional way or life in the novel? What are some examples of the modern way of life? What does Kaname think of traditional living and modern living?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of East versus West in the novel "Some Prefer Nettles." What are some examples of Western influences in the novel? What does Kaname think of the Western influences? Which characters symbolize the East and which characters symbolize the West?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and interpret the character Kaname. What are his defining character traits? What role does he have in the novel? Is he an influential character? Why or why not? What major events take place in his life during the narrative? How do these events impact his life?

(see the answer keys)

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