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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. In the final session of the play, what becomes apparent about the Master?

2. What does Otake play in the next session after a break?

3. Who is eager to leave the table at the noon break, after the middle phase of the game?

4. What are the new rules of the game of go, after the doctor check-up?

5. Who is difficult at Hakone on hearing about the game recess?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Otake think the Master should not play in August?

2. What happens when Kume visits the Master and suggests a doctor for him?

3. Why is Uragami disappointed in Wu's comments for the article?

4. As an amateur, what does Uragami fail to see about the Master's brilliant move?

5. How does Otake compromise with the organizers who want to finish the match soon?

6. Why are amateurs disappointed in the game, according to Uragami?

7. What happens during the final session of the match?

8. What does Uragami take as a sign of the Master's desire to finish the match?

9. Why do the judges and organizers appeal to Otake to play?

10. What does Uragami think of his match with the American on the train?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kawabata espouses a radical approach to game and thus related employment that would alter the structure of society. He describes the game player in The Master of Go as a proletariat like Marxian philosophy who is rebelling against the government in some ways. Describe the worker in The Master of Go. Do you think this is realistic and characteristic of today? Do you think the issues that Kawabata discusses are still relevant today and if so, in what ways?

Essay Topic 2

One of the main themes in the book is ethical and social responsibility. List at least four examples where Kawabata employs this specific theme. Is the battle between making ethical choices obvious or subtle? What characters are involved in this kind of battle? Do you think the right person or group won? Does good always triumph over evil in the case of The Master of Go ethics? Where do these definitions appear vague or incomprehensible?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in The Game of Go. Which of the individuals were lonely? Were they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

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