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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 best describes Matsu's house?

2. How does Stephen get to Kobe?

3. What is Stephen's first impression of the person who meets him at the station?

4. What is a shime-nawa?

5. What does Stephen expect to be his only solace in Tarumi?

Short Essay Questions

1. What implications are given that Matsu is becoming fond of Stephen?

2. How does Stephen react to the news in his mother's November,1937 letter?

3. Describe the events that lead to Stephen's trip to Tarumi.

4. What conflicting accounts of the war does Stephen hear?

5. How does Stephen feel about traveling to Tarumi?

6. What does Stephen think of Matsu when they initially meet?

7. Describe a daruma doll.

8. What is Stephen's physical condition when he first arrives at the beach house in Tarumi?

9. How does the removal of Sachi's scarf indicate her growing closeness to Stephen?

10. How is Setsbun celebrated?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One technique used frequently in this story is to go back in time to fill in the gaps of a character's life or an event. Unlike a flashback where a character recalls an event, characters in this book must tell Stephen their story, or even retell someone else's story.

1) Explain how the story of Michiko might change as Sachi retells it to Stephen.

2) Compare and contrast an event told first hand from Stephen with one told through a retelling.

3) Argue the benefits and drawbacks of the author's decision to use this method of storytelling.

Essay Topic 2

The act of suicide is an ongoing theme in this story. Tomoko, Kenzo, and many lepers chose to take their own lives. Sachi did not, although her own father wanted her to in order to restore family honor. Compare and contrast the suicides of Tomoko and Kenzo and other people's responses to them. What were the benefits and drawbacks of their decisions? What were the benefits and drawbacks of Sachi's decision not to take her own life to both her self and the people closest to her?

Essay Topic 3

Marriage and fidelity are on Stephen's mind after the revelation of his father's affair. However, both Stephen and his mother seem to accept the new arrangement even if they don't like it. How would the story be altered if Stephen's father had never admitted to the affair? How would it change if Yoshiko had been introduced to Stephen? Would a more detailed history of the marriage between Stephen's parents be pertinent to the storyline? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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