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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. Why doesn't Stephen ask Matsu to go along on his visit to Sachi?

2. What are Stephen and Matsu doing when the wave crashes into the garden?

3. How are Stephen and Matsu greeted on their second visit to Sachi?

4. What does Stephen's mother ask him to do?

5. What does Stephen receive from his mother in November?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the storm impact Stephen's relationship with Sachi and Matsu?

2. How did Tomoko's death bring Sachi and Matsu closer?

3. How does Stephen feel about traveling to Tarumi?

4. How is Setsbun celebrated?

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

6. Why does Stephen lie to his mother?

7. How do Stephen and Keiko's father interact when they meet in the village after Kenzo's burial?

8. Describe the state of Stephen's relationship with Keiko when she gives him the yoken.

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

10. Why does Stephen go to see Sachi after her argument with Kenzo?

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

Sachi's kare sansui is, by definition, a dry garden. Although she has chosen to include the blue-purple flower, the garden is mainly made up of rocks that represent the ripples of water. Stephen calls it an illusion. It could also be called a dead garden.

1) Why do you think Sachi chose this type of a garden rather than one filled with life?

2) What does the later inclusions of the blue-purple flower represent?

3) Why does Sachi rearrange the stones frequently?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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