View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Childan, what is special about some of the people his shop gives him the opportunity to meet?

2. What does Juliana feel the Germans have made little advancement in despite having gone to Mars?

3. What does the order in which languages are used in making airline announcements symbolize?

4. What word best describes Wyndam-Matson's reaction when Rita tells him about The Grasshopper Lies Heavy?

5. What upsets Tagomi causing him to leave the special session of the Foreign Office?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 4, Frank speaks of Gresham's Law. What does this law suggest? How does Childan's reaction to the discovery about some of his merchandise reflect his understanding of the importance of this law?

2. How is the mystery client that comes to place an expensive order with Childan described? What appears to be his real purpose? Who can you assume this client to be, and why is he doing this?

3. In Chapter 1, the author introduces the characters of Mr. Tagomi and the Kasouras as clients of Childan through the juxtaposition of conversations he has with each. What do we learn about each as a result? How do these clients compare?

4. In Chapter 5, what is further learned about the book The Grasshopper Lies Heavy from Rita's conversation with Wyndam-Matson? How does this conversation create a conflict between them?

5. How do Childan's and Frank's perception of the Germans and the Japanese differ? What motivates these views?

6. Juliana responds to the radio commentary about the potential new Chancellor by saying, "Those murderers are talked about as if they are like the rest of us." Joe responds,"There isn't anything they've done that we wouldn't have done if we'd been in their places." What does Joe mean by this? What proof has Joe offered to support his opinion?

7. What appears to be the source of Juliana's depression at the start of Chapter 3? Why might this be considered to be ironic?

8. Childan says of the Kasouras, "these new young people, of the rising generation, who did not remember the days before the war or even the war itself, - they were the hope of the world." What is meant by this? How do the Kasouras appear to prove him right?

9. The voice of the radio quotes from The Bible, "What profit it a man if he gain the whole world but in this enterprise lose his soul?" How does this apply to what we have witnessed of this world in Chapter 1?

10. One aspect of science fiction is that there is an element of the real world in it. What similarities can be seen in World War II and its aftermath as related in the High Castle and the history as we know it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The title of Abendsen 's novel is an allusion to Ecclesiastics, Chapter 5, verses 5-7 from the King James version of the Bible. This translates to say:

"Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way .... and the grasshopper be a burden, and desire shall

fail ...Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."

Explain the significance of this allusion as it relates to The High Castle and its inner story, The Grasshopper Lies Heavy. Be specific in explaining how the above Biblical excerpt relates to the characters and the world in which they live.

Essay Topic 2

Philip Dick used the technique of writing a story to create his novel The High Castle. What are the two stories presented? How do they compare? Do you think this is an effective technique? Explain why (or why not). Use specific references throughout your discussion to show the connections and prove ( or disprove) their relevancy and effectiveness.

Essay Topic 3

The protagonist, or hero, of a story is a character pitted against an important opponent, the antagonist. Who do you feel is the protagonist of this novel? Explain and give proof to validate your choice. In your explanation, describe what he or she is up against, how the opposition is dealt with, and how this makes the person heroic. Be specific throughout.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,557 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample