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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. Who is Saburo?

2. What happens to Jiro's mother when she goes to the shrine to get food?

3. Who is Taro?

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

5. What does Jiro keep doing?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Isako bring to the theater and what does she tell Jiro?

3. How does Jiro help his father and how does this help his family?

4. Where do Jiro and his father go and spend their money, and who do they talk to there?

5. What is the basic plot of the play?

6. How does Kinshi perform when he takes over for Kwada one day?

7. How does Okada respond to Jiro's question?

8. Why does Jiro make mistakes and how does his mother react?

9. How does Jiro practice puppeteering skills?

10. How do Jiro and the other boys feel about Jiro's assignment?

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

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Master Puppeteer. Questions that Peterson most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Peterson' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Peterson' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Peterson and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 3

Jiro's father wants Jiro to be able to help make puppets so they can earn a living, but he also wants Jiro to learn a skill that will help him in later life. Jiro tries his best and feels embarrassed and upset when he makes mistakes. He loves both his parents, but feels a little despairing of ever earning his mother's love. He thinks his mother resents the fact that he was even born, as his elder siblings died. He thinks that his mother would have preferred her other children to survive and Jiro to die. This makes him very sad, but also a little resentful of his mother.

1. Discuss the ways in which Jiro's father might be able to help him with his lack of skill. Use examples from The Master Puppeteer to support your reasoning.

2. Discuss the ways in which Jiro's mother responds to him that might be responsible for him believing she does not love him. Use examples from The Master Puppeteer to support your reasoning.

3. Discuss why Jiro would feel both sad and resentful about his mother. Use examples from The Master Puppeteer to support your reasoning.

(see the answer keys)

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