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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. Although Manna is lying, what is Commissar Wei's response to her claim of reading Russian novels?

2. For how long is Lin permitted to return home once a year?

3. Lin's roles as an officer and doctor make him what kind of a man?

4. At the restaurant, what is Geng Yang's advice for Lin to encourage his wife to consent to a divorce?

5. What are Lin's conditions on Manna's prospective new fiancé?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Manna more embarrassed than heartbroken at Commissar Wei's rejection?

2. After Lin begins to try in earnest to divorce Shuyu, what are the new dilemmas that arise?

3. How does Lin change the direction of his and Manna's relationship as his divorce seems less and less likely?

4. Why has Lin doubted himself of being a "normal" man? How does he gauge "normal?"

5. Why does Manna help Lin put dust covers on his books?

6. Why is Lin ashamed that he asks Manna to share the cost of the bribe?

7. When Lin shows Manna the photo of his wife and daughter, what upset does it bring to their relationship? What solace does it bring to Manna?

8. Why is Manna's meeting with Commissar Wei very pleasant?

9. How is Manna extremely selfish in the beginning of Chapter 7?

10. What dilemmas do Shuyu's feet make for Lin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pick one of the following positions to argue in an essay:

- Manna is the appropriate wife for Lin.

- Shuyu is the appropriate wife for Lin.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Ha Jin's use of youth, age, and death. How do they define characters in the eyes of others? What affect does it have on narrative, imagery, and relationships of "Waiting?"

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing the narrative structure or "Waiting". Focus on the following:

- Its symmetry and organization.

- Its circular and recursive motion.

- Compare to traditional narrative structure (rising action, climax, falling action, etc.) and how "Waiting" breaks, uses, and redefines "structure".

(see the answer keys)

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