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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 say Keiko's visit affected him?

2. When does Stephen's mother say that she and Pie will come to visit in her May, 1938 letter?

3. What is the mood surrounding Stephen's visit to the Tama shrine?

4. What object does Tomoko ask Matsu to bring to her after she is afflicted with leprosy?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sachi incorporate flowers in her garden?

2. What do Stephen's lack of journal entries due to rebuilding in Yamaguchi indicate?

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

4. What does Stephen discover Matsu doing with his father's fishing knife and why is it important?

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

6. Where is the Kerria plant found and what does it mean?

7. What activities surround Fumiko's arrival?

8. What does Stephen describe as his memories of Keiko?

9. How does Keiko feel about her father's behavior?

10. What is the tone of Keiko's meeting with Stephen at the shrine?

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

Point of view is an important element of style as this story as told through Stephen's journal. Choose three events in the story that would be dramatically altered if the story was told from a different point of view. Give specific examples that support your assertions. Why do you think the author chose to tell the story through the point of view that she did?

Essay Topic 3

Starting with Stephen's reclusive quarantine in Hong Kong, the theme of loneliness is used through the Samurai's Garden.

1) Choose an event or incident from the story that is spurred by loneliness and explain how that loneliness triggers other specific events.

2) Choose a character in the story who seems lonely despite being near other people. Describe the actions this leads to.

3) Choose two characters in the story who seek each other out. Explain the result of this action and how it affects each one's loneliness.

(see the answer keys)

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