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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. A promotion to what rank changed a man who was previously a Subordinate Official so much that he seemed to have been reborn?

2. In "Wind Instruments" what instrument did Shonagon say was charming for a man to carry when he went out on horseback or on foot?

3. Who said they had left the grass in the garden outside the palace to grow long so they could admire the dew?

4. What did the High Priestess travel in during the Return Procession from Kamo?

5. Which of these did Shonagon say loses by being painted?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Shonagon happy to receive a note from a man that read "the rain that swells the water?"

2. Why did the Empress laugh when Tozammi brought her the letters about the people at the capital no longer wearing their mourning clothes?

3. Why did Shonagon say that no one pays attention to a Palace Chaplain when he walks by?

4. Why did the Empress say that she could understand why Shonagon would be particularly impressed by Tadanobu's finding the perfect lines to say at a gathering following a service for the late Chancellor?

5. When the ladies visited the guard house in "While We Were in Mourning for the Chancellor" why did the guards get angry with them?

6. Why did Shonagon say a man who had been promoted from Subordinate Officer to Chamberlain seemed like he had been reborn?

7. Why was Shonagon moved to tears upon witnessing the Emperor paying his respects to the Empress Dowager?

8. Why did the priest tell the women to keep talking all night after overhearing their conversation about where the wood for the Chamberlains' batons come from and talking about the names of clothing?

9. Why did the Empress think Shonagon was lying when she insisted she was fond of the Empress during her early days as a courtier?

10. Why did Shonagon want to change places with the woman she met on her way up the hill to the Upper Shrine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How was The Pillow Book discovered and made public? Did Shonagon mean to have others read her work? What evidence is there that she may have meant for the book to go public?

Essay Topic 2

Midway through the book we see a shift in Shonagon's writing style to a more developed style of prose. Describe the shift. What changes in her writing style? What does it reveal about Shonagon?

Essay Topic 3

What was Shonagon's relationship with Tanadobu? How did the two treat each other? How did Shonagon feel about him? How did he feel about her?

(see the answer keys)

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