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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. How does Stephen get to Kobe?

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

3. Why does Sachi say Tomoko contracted leprosy?

4. Why does Matsu say he decides to visit Tama with Stephen?

5. Why does Sachi often rearrange the stones in her garden?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Kenzo call Sachi a monster?

2. What agreement do Stephen's parents seem to come to after his father's visit?

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

4. Why is the painting of the garden of importance to Stephen?

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

6. How does Stephen feel about making friends with people once he is settled in the beach house?

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

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

9. Describe the relationship between Kenzo, Matsu, and Sachi when Stephen first meets Kenzo.

10. What does Stephen's father reveal about Matsu's history?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Blame and shame are recurring themes in the novel, although they sometimes are related to honor and loyalty. Choose one of these four themes (blame, shame, honor, or loyalty) that you think most shapes the tone of the story.

1) Give at least three examples to support your statement.

2) Explain if or how that theme is related to the other three listed above.

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

Honor is a theme explored in many circumstances and relationships in the Samurai's Garden. In regards to Stephen's parents, their marriage and the way both dealt with the revelation of his father's affair, discuss what it means to be honorable. Give specific examples and explain why you believe that his parents did or did not act honorably in each one. What do you feel they should have, if anything, done differently? What information that you do not have would change your perceptions of them and their actions?

(see the answer keys)

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