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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. When Huang goes to Jen's house, what does he notice about the mat?

2. What is considered less valuable than a killer?

3. What does Ts'ui-hsien's husband try to do to her?

4. When is Jen's wife's supposed killer brought to trial?

5. Who is locked up after the alibi is proven about the supposed murderer?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the family conflict around P'u Sung-ling's marriage.

2. What does Huang discover at Jen's house?

3. How does Ts'ui-hsien outwit her husband through magic?

4. What is done to placate Wang's ghost and why?

5. Why do you think Spence named the book The Death of Woman Wang?

6. What does Li do to avenge the death of Wang's wife?

7. Why is keeping order difficult in T'an-ch'eng County?

8. What do many women do after their husbands die in China?

9. How does Ts'ui Meng try to avenge injustices meted out to Li?

10. How does Kao get involved in Jen and Wang's marital dspute at the temple?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe some of the settings for The Death of Woman Wang. What was the overall setting? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. How did these settings reflect the time period and culture of 17th century China?

Essay Topic 2

Taoism strongly emphasizes the relationship of people to the environment in harmony. How does this belief system contrast with the violence depicted in the book? Can such actions such as Ts'ui and Li's in response to injustice be reconciled with Taoism? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of the book's title, The Death of Woman Wang? Why did Spence choose this as the title? Do you think this choice is appropriate? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 763 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample