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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 the Mute Girl feel towards Kien?

2. What does Kien think writing will achieve for him?

3. Who is the central character this Part is devoted to?

4. Why did the American government go to War in Vietnam?

5. Who 'won' the Vietnam War?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Kien think about executing the North Vietnamese commandos?

2. Where is Hanoi?

3. Why does the transport truck driver say it is no wonder that Kien is having bad dreams?

4. Why does the transport truck driver wake him up at the end of Part 1?

5. Why does Kien write so obsessively?

6. What is the Jungle called that Kien finds himself outside of

7. What did Kien remember feeling before the onset of war?

8. What does Kien try to do to his manuscript that alarms his neighbors so much?

9. How do we think the Mute Girl feels for Kien?

10. During what years did the Vietnam War take place?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? In your opinion, is Kien suffering from PTSD? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

This story told from the North Vietnamese side. Explore what this might imply about the author’s agenda.

Essay Topic 3

What is a tragic figure in literature? Does Kien fit the definition? Why or why not? Explain in detail.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 380 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample