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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 object did the men thrust under the blind in "On a Dark, Moonless Night in the Fifth Month?"

2. When Shonagon went to a temple for a retreat and was kneeling to pray, what did a priest bring her?

3. When Shonagon first went into waiting, what was the only time of day she wanted to go before the Empress?

4. Which of these did Shonagon say was distant but near?

5. What was in the parcel that Yukinari sent Shonagon in "One Day a Man from the Office of Grounds?"

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Shonagon uncertain of how to reply to Yukinari's gift of square cakes?

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

3. Why was Shonagon impressed when the Empress guessed that the cherry blossoms had been ruined by the rain?

4. Why was Nobukata offended when Shonagon teased him about liking to have a place to lie down and rest?

5. Why did the Empress keep the note Yukinari sent with the square cakes?

6. 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?

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

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

9. Why did Shonagon prefer that the envoys in the Special Festival at Kamo keep their faces concealed with wisteria?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Analyze at least three of the poems written by Shonagon that are included in The Pillow Book. What does each poem mean? What imagery does Shonagon use? Do her poems have a common theme?

Essay Topic 3

What is Shonagon's writing style? What kinds of words did she use? How did she express her opinions?

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