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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. Who was Shimao hiking with in her bear story?

2. What word does Shimao use to describe her bear story?

3. What band was Keisuke listening to?

4. What was Komura actually thinking about while in bed with Shimao?

5. What was notable about Yoshiya's mother's doctor?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Komura's wife.

2. Why were Komura's friends puzzled by his marriage?

3. What is one of the realizations Yoshiya has on the pitcher's mound?

4. How was Miyake connected to the Kobe earthquake?

5. How did Komura's wife feel about Tokyo?

6. How is Miyake able to paint?

7. Describe Yoshiya's relationship with his mother.

8. What did Junko learn about Miyake's family?

9. What does Miyake say when Junko asks her to wake her up?

10. Why did Junko run away from home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Some stories, like "super-frog saves tokyo," blend reality with surreal elements. Analyze how Murakami intertwines reality and fantasy to communicate deeper truths.

Essay Topic 2

Compare Murakami's treatment of the earthquake's aftermath to other literature or media that deals with the aftermath of tragedies or disasters. What parallels can you draw? Use textual evidence to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

Consider the role of women in after the quake. Examine the text through a feminist lens, trying to find ways in which women advance the stories they are part of. How does Haruki Murakami approach women in these stories? What do you make of these depictions?

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This section contains 573 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample