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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 does Jiro say to Yoshida?

2. What does Kinshi admire?

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

4. How is Jiro feeling?

5. Who is constantly frustrated with Jiro?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Jiro decide to do and why does he make this decision?

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

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

5. What is the basic plot of the play?

6. What do Jiro and Kinshi get to do on stage during one performance?

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

8. What does the Shogun do about Saburo?

9. How is Jiro's family getting along?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in The Master Puppeteer. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Peterson chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Peterson chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Peterson's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Peterson use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 2

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 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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