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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 Fusamu?

2. What does Jiro hope about his father?

3. Where does Jiro go after talking with Taro?

4. Who is Hanji?

5. What does Jiro do to prepare for his part in the new production?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Jiro discover when he goes to steal the script for the next play?

3. What do Jiro and Kinshi think of Yoshida's performance?

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

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

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

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

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

9. What does Yoshida tell Jiro when Jiro presents himself to the man and how does Kinshi reassure Jiro?

10. Who are the other apprentices?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Jiro and Kinshi. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Saburo and Kinshi. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Master Puppeteer help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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