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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 does Kaname give Misako permission to do in her affair with Aso?

2. How does Takanatsu feel about Misako's situation with Aso in Chapter 7?

3. What does Louise do to make herself more physically appealing?

4. For what reason does Kaname say men usually make promises to women?

5. How often does Kaname visit Louise?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Kaname think about as he tries to fall asleep in Chapter 9?

2. Why do O-hisa and Misako's father have such difficulty tying her kimono sash?

3. At the end of Chapter 14, what does Kaname realize he wants?

4. After assuring Takanatsu that Aso's intentions are honorable, what does Takanatsu assume?

5. How does Kaname explain Misako has changed in Chapter 14?

6. What does Kaname imagine about O-hisa at the end of Chapter 10?

7. Describe the puppet theater in Chapter 11.

8. What memory does Kaname recall as he is listening to the samisen music? Why does he think this memory is significant?

9. How did Japanese puppet shows originate?

10. What does Loiuse ask Kaname for before he leaves the brothel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the relationship between Kaname and Misako. Why are they considering divorce? How do they treat each other? What problems are they struggling with in their marriage?

(see the answer keys)

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