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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 does Jiro admire about the boy who is disciplined?

3. Where does Jiro go after talking with Taro?

4. What is the Hanaza?

5. What is the situation in this country during this time?

Short Essay Questions

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

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. How is Jiro's family getting along?

5. How does Jiro being rude earn him an apprenticeship?

6. What do the authorities and merchant's guild offer?

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

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

9. What does the Shogun do about Saburo?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Katherine Peterson.

2. What in Peterson's background may have helped him in writing The Master Puppeteer? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

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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