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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 does Joman disguise himself as?

2. What does Isako not let Jiro do?

3. With whom does Yoshida find fault when he watches the boys' practice?

4. What does Kinshi steal to celebrate?

5. What list does Yoshida post?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are the other apprentices?

2. What does Jiro offer to about the new play and what is the outcome?

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

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

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

6. What does the Shogun do about Saburo?

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

8. How do some of the attendees feel about the resemblance of Joman to Saburo?

9. How does Jiro practice puppeteering skills?

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

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

The Master Puppeteer belongs to the youth historical fiction genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the youth historical fiction genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a youth historical fiction and a historical novel mystery?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss The Master Puppeteer based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The Master Puppeteer is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider The Master Puppeteer a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

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