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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. What kind of doctor is Dr. Tokai?

2. To Habara's amazement, Scheherazade tells him that she can recall what phase of her life?

3. How many of his own former lives does Habara tell Scheherazade that he can recall?

4. To what work is Habara alluding when he decides to refer privately to his support liaison as Scheherazade?

5. The protagonist of the story "Kino" owns what type of establishment?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Dr. Tokai's eventual fate?

2. How does Kino come to own a bar and what had he done for work prior to the purchase?

3. What elements are listed within Habara's list of the only "personal information [Scheherazade] had volunteered" (117)?

4. Name the mysterious elements present within the story "Scheherazade" that are not resolved by the end of the story.

5. Around the time Kino's cat disappears, what other creatures begins to show up outside of the bar and what do they symbolize?

6. Dr. Tokai describes himself to the narrator using what two adjectives?

7. How does the theme of appearance versus reality emerge within the stories that Scheherazade tells to Habara?

8. How is the theme of escape depicted within Habara's receipt of Scheherazade's stories?

9. How is the theme of secrecy depicted within the story entitled "An Independent Organ"?

10. Who is Goto and what is his role in the story entitled "An Independent Organ"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the nature of the relationship between the narrator of the story An Independent Organ and Dr. Tokai. Could these characters be considered foils to one another? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Murakami's focus on the theme of transformation in Haruki Murakami's short story collection Men Without Women. What message is being sent about the nature of change?

Essay Topic 3

Write a critical essay about Haruki Murakami's short story collection Men Without Women while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the book's treatment of gender roles, the objectification of women, female empowerment, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the book.

(see the answer keys)

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