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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 admit he has been hoping would happen for years?

2. Where does Misako's father stop on his way to the puppet theater?

3. What does Kaname think about Aso's honesty in Chapter 7?

4. When did Kaname begin to withdraw sexually from Misako?

5. What does O-hisa do for Misako's father at bed time?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Kaname think about the relationship between his father-in-law and O-hisa in Chapter 9?

2. In Chapter 13, what does Kaname find out from the letter from Takanatsu?

3. In Chapter 10, what does O-hisa say she would rather be doing than going to see the theater shows?

4. How did Japanese puppet shows originate?

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

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

7. What did Kaname notice about Misako after she met Aso?

8. Describe the puppet theater in Chapter 11.

9. What popular tradition among stylish gentlemen is explained in Chapter 9?

10. Where does Kaname note Western-style buildings are erected in Japan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and interpret at least three of the secondary characters of the novel. What sort of relationships do these characters have with Kaname? Do they have a significant role in the novel? Why or why not? Do these characters influence Kaname's decision to divorce his wife?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the motif of choices in the novel "Some Prefer Nettles." What choices is Kaname struggling with? How will these decisions affect his life? What factors are involved in his decision?

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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