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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 does Stephen's mother recommend in her May, 1938 letter to him?

2. What does Stephen say he did at the celebration in Yamaguchi?

3. Who does Stephen refer to when he notes that they will never "drift away from each other"?

4. What do the old men that Stephen sees in Tarumi agree upon?

5. What effect does Matsu say Tomoko's illness had on their relationship?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Matsu feel about his sister's decision to deal with her disease?

2. Does Stephen feel that he is at danger from the war?

3. Who is Sumiko?

4. Describe Stephen's visit with his father.

5. How does Sachi change after Michiko's death?

6. Explain how the war is impacting Stephen.

7. Compare Matsu and Tomoko as teenagers.

8. How does Sachi incorporate flowers in her garden?

9. What information does Stephen get from Penelope's letter?

10. Discuss Hiro.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

For each of the gifts listed below, explain who it was to and from, what the reason for the gift was and how it affected the giver or receiver.

1) Daruma doll

2) Yoken

3) Paint brushes

4) Lucky stones

5) Another of your choice

Essay Topic 2

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?

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)

This section contains 835 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample