View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Misako follow Takanatsu to his room in Chapter 7?

2. What does Kaname think Misako would rather do than attend the show in Chapter 1?

3. What is Kaname looking for in the book he is reading in Chapter 6?

4. How does Misako describe dating?

5. What does Takanatsu think Kaname should tell Hiroshi about his parents' marriage?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Misako notice about her relationship with Kaname when Takanatsu is around? To what does she attribute this difference?

4. What does Kaname think about on the train ride to the puppet theater?

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

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

7. What holiday does Misako think about in Chapter 6? What does she wonder about this day?

8. What is at risk for Misako when she and Kaname divorce?

9. What does Hiroshi worry about the trip Takanatsu invites him on to Tokyo?

10. Who is O-hisa? What does Misako think of O-hisa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Tanizaki's use of contrast in the novel "Some Prefer Nettles." What are some examples of contrast? How do these examples relate to the themes of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of divorce in the novel "Some Prefer Nettles." Why do Kaname and Misako want to get a divorce? What is making the decision hard to make? How was divorce viewed by Japanese culture in the 1950's?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the motif of adultery in the novel "Some Prefer Nettles." What are some examples of adultery in the novel? Describe Kaname's adulterous relationship with Louise. Describe Misako's adulterous relationship with Aso. How do these relationships affect the marriage between Kaname and Misako?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 847 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample