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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. How does Jiro feel about himself in regards to his family?

2. What is Jiro's part in the new play?

3. What does Jiro decide to do on the New Year instead of celebrating with the others?

4. About whom do Jiro and Hanji talk with another man?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens when Jiro goes home to see his mother?

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

4. Who does Jiro meet at the theater and what does the person tell Jiro?

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

6. What is the basic plot of the play?

7. Where does Jiro and his father sell their puppets?

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

9. How does Jiro practice puppeteering skills?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Master Puppeteer and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Master Puppeteer is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Master Puppeteer.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of The Master Puppeteer. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of The Master Puppeteer. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Master Puppeteer, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in The Master Puppeteer. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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