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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 does Sam die?

2. Who does Joy believe is her biological mother?

3. Why did Joy's real father paint portraits of Joy's mother and aunt?

4. Who is Pearl's husband?

5. Who is actually Joy's biological mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Pearl finally tell May about Joy and Z. G.?

2. What is Green Dragon Village?

3. What information does Pearl learn right after entering China that relieves her mind?

4. What organization does Joy join in college and why does she end up in China?

5. How does Joy get into China?

6. What does Joy think about when listening to the propaganda about working hard?

7. What do Z. G. and Joy begin doing immediately at the commune, and why is the work so grueling?

8. What does Pearl do every morning for a job and what does she find as she is performing her duties?

9. What is the Great Leap Forward and what does China hope to accomplish with it?

10. Of what do Pearl's housemates accuse her, and who seems to be supportive of her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Lisa See.

2. What in See's background may have helped him in writing "Dreams of Joy"? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Dreams of Joy". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "Dreams of Joy". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "Dreams of Joy". Consider the death of Mike as an random act of nature and the death of Luis as the result of conscious violence. Consider also in your answer the death of innocence in Rick from the beginning of the book to the end.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Dreams of Joy", questions that See most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the See's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss See's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of See and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

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