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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 did Theroux write was a common form of Japanese courtesy among parents?

2. What American play was banned under Thieu's regime?

3. How much time did Theroux have to board the train to Sapporo in Aomori?

4. What happened when Theroux saw the drunk Japanese men in the bar in Osaka?

5. What religion did Bernard's father follow?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the Japanese obsession with the high cost of living in Japan.

2. Why were the Vietnamese focused on providing foreign visitors with privileges?

3. How was the American woman living in Sapporo welcomed into the Japanese fold in the story retold in Chapter 27?

4. Who were the American-looking children Theroux saw throughout Vietnam?

5. Why did Theroux say that the Malay smile was misleading?

6. Describe Theroux's visit to the tourism office in Vietnam.

7. How did Westerners and Japanese react to the suicide of the Japanese writer, Yukio Mishima?

8. Why did Theroux refer to Laos as "America's expensive practical joke"?

9. What common prostitution story did Theroux hear numerous times during his travels and how did the story told in Laos differ?

10. How did Mr. Bernard treat Theroux at his mansion in maymyo?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

An Indian man on board the train with Theroux in Lahore told the author he was fleeing racism in London. One of the things he complained about was being stared at. In response, Theroux pointed out he was stared at in Asia. While the language the Indian faced in London was obviously racist, did the staring fall into the same category? Why did the man seem unable to recognize the implications of being kicked out of first class? How did Theroux react to the stares he received and did he seem to view them as racist? Were either one (the Indian or Theroux) being naive?

Essay Topic 2

In the closing pages, Theroux reflected on how the book could have been different if he had written it as a novel instead of a travel piece. Did he focus too much on what his eyes saw or did he discuss what his imagination knew? Would the book have worked better as fiction? Would it have been necessary for Theroux to invent characters and situations in order to help the narrative flow? Did he make the right choice in writing a travelogue?

Essay Topic 3

In his descriptions of some of the railway stations through which he traveled, Theroux made it clear that many of the stations were ornate and reflected either the culture of the nation or the culture of the former colonial authority. Write an essay outlining how countries use railway station architecture to highlight their unique cultures. Does the effort to incorporate local styles help provide visitors with a better sense and appreciation of the country? What do you think Theroux could have learned from stations without any unique cultural aspects? What impact would homogenization have? Would it make all cultures seem similar?

(see the answer keys)

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