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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. Where has Matsu been when he returns to the beach house?

2. Where does Keiko's family go in September of 1938?

3. What does Sachi say Tanka should not have saved after the fire destroys Tanka's home?

4. What did Sachi's father hope would happen after she contracted leprosy?

5. What reports does Stephen record about the war in his May 15th, 1938 journal entry?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sachi incorporate flowers in her garden?

2. Describe Stephen's visit with his father.

3. Why aren't there any journal entries for a month after Kenzo's funeral?

4. Discuss Hiro.

5. Explain how the war is impacting Stephen.

6. What is Sachi's relationship with Michiko?

7. Who is Sumiko?

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

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

Although Stephen has never met Tomoko, her presence is strongly felt. This is also true of Michiko. Compare and contrast the two characters and analyze their contribution to the story line.

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

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)

This section contains 821 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample