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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. How does Akira characterize the songs of the Taisho age in Japan?

2. The mean nickname the children gave Kurosawa at Morimura Gakuen implied that he had tears large as what?

3. In Murasaki and Shonagon, how does Kurosawa assume he knew about the literary soldiers he referenced as a child?

4. Reading his family tree, young Akira realize his ancestors included whom?

5. What animal does Kurosawa recall seeing killed by a train at an early age?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did young Akira put is Kendo into practice in self-defense?

2. Why does Akira Kurosawa not understand the concept of hometowns?

3. How was young Akira humbled in The Goblin's Nose?

4. Describe young Akira Kurosawa' daily schedule.

5. Describe Akira's relationship with Aunt Togashi.

6. How did young Uekusa prove foolhardy?

7. What happened on September 1, 1923?

8. What bad relationship did Akira develop at Keika Middle School?

9. What romantic gesture did Uekusa attempt at sixteen?

10. Who is Mr. Tachikawa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout SOMETHING LIKE AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY, Akira Kurosawa finds his way through the film industry with contemporaries. Write an essay about three individuals of approximate age to his. How did each affect his decisions regarding the career of filmmaking? To what extent is each a collaborator and a foil to him? Does he break company with any of them? If so, what is the reason for this parting, and how does it affect Akira?

Part 1) Akira's brother.

Part 2) Uekusa.

Part 3) Mifune Toshiro.

Essay Topic 2

In SOMETHING LIKE AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY, Kurosawa spends quite a bit of time discussing the techniques and virtues of Kajiro Yamamoto. Write an essay about these techniques. How does Kurosawa describe a Yanamoto set? To what extent is Yanamoto as concerned about the professional development of his assistants as he is about the quality of the film he is making? What special duties did Yanamoto give young men like Akira?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout much of the book, young Akira has difficulty choosing to take a stand, leading to his being called a crybaby, a coward, and a weakling. Write an essay about inaction in Something Like and Autobiography. How does Akira fail to stand up to a tyrannical teacher in his school when given the chance? Discuss how the War affords him many opportunities not to act. How, as a result of his brother's suicide, does Kurosawa nearly choose not to get into film.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 975 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample