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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 Minke ask Nyai about at the end of Chapter 4?

2. What type of book might this story be classified as?

3. In Chapter 6, who does Minke receive an invitation from?

4. Who is the narrator of the book?

5. How long after the actual events did Minke write the book?

Short Essay Questions

1. What advances does Minke say have been seen on the island.

2. How does Minke feel about Annelies at the start of Chapter 3 and what does he believe influences him to feel this way?

3. What does the conversation with Nyai in Chapter 6 reveal about Minke's education?

4. What does Annelies find in Minke's luggage and what does Minke tell her about the items?

5. Why is Minke conflicted over the social status of Annelies' family?

6. What does the term "historical fiction" mean?

7. What is Mr. Mellema's household like?

8. What is the significance of Jean Marais being a private first class in the army?

9. Who says in Chapter 3, "love is beautiful, Minke, very, very beautiful, but perhaps disaster follows. You must dare to face its consequences", and what does this quote mean in the context of the story?

10. Describe Jean Marais' painting and what he thinks it means.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Toer address the theme of growing up in his book? Choose two examples of examples of growth and explain how these examples contribute to the theme of coming of age.

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of Jean Marais' army status? Do Minke or Marais think there is a problem with it at the time?

Essay Topic 3

Define the term protagonist and identify who you believe is the protagonist in this book. Supply evidence from the book that supports your argument. Then define the term protagonist and identify the protagonists in the book. Use evidence from the book to support your answer.

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