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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. Sensei tells the narrator in Part I: Sensei and I, “Give a gentleman money, and he will soon turn into a” what?

2. What does Sensei’s wife send home with the narrator after he stays with her to watch for burglars in Part I: Sensei and I?

3. At what time does Sensei return home while the narrator stays with his wife to watch for burglars in Part I: Sensei and I?

4. Sensei repeatedly tells the narrator that there is what in loving in Part I: Sensei and I?

5. Where was Natsume Soseki educated, according to the book’s Forward?

Short Essay Questions

1. What occurrence leads up to Soseki and Sensei’s discussion of guilt in love in Part I, Sensei and I?

2. Who is the translator of Kokoro? What reasons does he give for his Soseki’s biographical information in the book’s Forward?

3. What does the narrator tell Sensei of his father’s health when he returns to Tokyo in Part I, Sensei and I? How does Sensei respond?

4. Soseki has said that he is often disappointed by Sensei’s responses. How is this illustrated after Soseki visits Sensei after completing his term paper in Part I, Sensei and I?

5. What does the author of the Forward say of Soseki Natsume’s education and works?

6. Describe Sensei’s demeanor toward Soseki upon their meeting. Does Sensei welcome Soseki’s company?

7. Why does the narrator return home in Part I, Sensei and I? How does he depict his first days there?

8. What does Sensei’s wife reveal about her feelings for her husband while she and Soseki are in the house watching for burglars in Part I, Sensei and I?

9. Where does the narrator first see Sensei? How does he go about approaching him?

10. What event does Sensei’s wife describe that hints at the reason Sensei changed and became removed from the world in Part I, Sensei and I?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the character of Soseki’s father in the novel. From what degenerating ailment does Soseki’s father suffer? How does Soseki compare his relationship with his father to his relationship with Sensei?

Essay Topic 2

Plot Structure

a. Discuss the plot structure of Kokoro. In what ways is the narrative related and what effect does this have on the reader?

b. How does Kokoro compare with other novels written during this time period? Are there specific stylistic elements that can be seen in Soseki’s writing?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the character of Shizu, or Sensei’s wife, in the novel. Where is Shizu from? What is her demeanor like? What does Soseki think of Shizu?

(see the answer keys)

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