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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 is wrong with Hanji?

2. How does Jiro's family make money?

3. What is one reason Jiro has decided to do what he does?

4. What does Kinshi say the left-hand operators will do?

5. What does Isako not let Jiro do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the basic plot of the play?

2. How is Jiro's family getting along?

3. What does the Shogun do about Saburo?

4. What play does Okada finish and what do the apprentices worry about concerning the new play?

5. Who posts the roles for the new play and what is Jiro's role?

6. Why is Jiro almost attacked and who saves him?

7. What does Jiro hope about his father and what is the outcome?

8. What do Saburo and his gang do one evening?

9. How does Jiro practice puppeteering skills?

10. Who does Jiro find at the house when he gets home and what does Jiro learn from him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as The Master Puppeteer help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Master Puppeteer? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in The Master Puppeteer to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in The Master Puppeteer. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in The Master Puppeteer. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of class in The Master Puppeteer. Consider the following questions: How does class affect the characters in the story? How is class demonstrated? How rigid is the class system in feudal Japan? What types of struggles are evident because of class?

Essay Topic 3

Over the course of The Master Puppeteer, Jiro grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. The Master Puppeteer might be considered a slice of Jiro's larger story of his "coming of age." It might be said that The Master Puppeteer is a "bildungsroman" of Jiro. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Jiro as he changes from a more carefree, innocent boy to a wiser, young man. What are the significant events that change Rick?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Jiro's growth throughout The Master Puppeteer, do you think The Master Puppeteer could be considered Jiro's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in The Master Puppeteer who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

(see the answer keys)

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