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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 accurate does the narrator suggest his story is?

2. Why did Jean Marais come to the island?

3. Where did Jean Marais live before the island?

4. Where is Minke's birth place located?

5. What does Annelies ask about the letters in Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Nyai strive to be the best companion to Herman Mellema?

2. Why is Minke amazed by Nyia's education?

3. What does Nyai show Minke in Chapter 6 and what is she suspicious about?

4. What event changed Herman Mellema forever?

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

6. What illness does Annelies suffer from in Chapter 4? How is she cured?

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

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

9. What does Nyai reveal about her life in Chapter 5?

10. What does Annelies tell Minke about Nyai in Chapter 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When considering Pramoedya Ananta Toer's life, where do you believe he found the inspiration for his book? What does this book cause you to think about the author's life? Do you believe any of this story to be based on true events?

Essay Topic 2

Minke meets many interesting people in the book. These people influence his life in many ways. Choose one person or couple he meets that influence his life and explain the positive and negative aspects of that influence

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the character of Minke. How does Minke change from the beginning to the end of the book? Why? Do you believe Minke is innocent at the start of the book? Choose one other character in the book (other than Annelies and Nyai) and explain their relationship with Minke.

(see the answer keys)

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