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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where does the mistress hide the note when Joncour gives it back to her?
(a) In the folds of her dress.
(b) In her pocket.
(c) In her mouth.
(d) In her purse.

2. What was Joncour wearing the first time Baldabiou saw him?
(a) Work overalls.
(b) Shorts.
(c) A uniform.
(d) A suit.

3. What present does the mistress have for Joncour after the party at Hara Kei's house?
(a) Hot towels.
(b) Mulberry leaves.
(c) A young Asian girl.
(d) Tea.

4. What happens to Joncour's neighbor, initially?
(a) He gardens all the time.
(b) He decides to stop speaking.
(c) He goes blind.
(d) He is violent with his wife.

5. When Baldabiou assembles all of Lavelledieu's silk manufacturers, what do they think of Japan?
(a) They have never heard of Japan.
(b) They have read about Japan.
(c) They know Japan to be dangerous.
(d) They have heard of the Japanese silk.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Baldabiou ask Joncour about when he returned from Egypt?

2. What year is it when the novel begins?

3. What kind of fleet of ships did the Americans bring to Japan?

4. When Joncour tries to communicate with the mistress in front of Hara Kei, what does he say to Joncour?

5. What does the mistress do before she leaves Joncour with his present?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the young girl accompanying Hara Kei not have an Asian slant to her eyes? Does this give the reader a clue to her past? What?

2. When Hara Kei asks Joncour who he is, what does he tell him? Why does he give so much detail? Is it necessary to tell the whole truth? Why does Joncour do this?

3. Do you think Joncour's feminine attributes played into his father's decision that Joncour should pursue a life in the military? What does this say about the character of Joncour's father? What does this say about Joncour?

4. When Joncour turns 33-years-old, how does the author describe his life? How is peace compared to rain? Why do you think the author used this description?

5. How is Helene described? What is her most important attribute?

6. What happened when Jean Berbeck decided not to speak anymore? Why is this significant information in getting to know the character of Joncour?

7. What is Madame Blanche's calling card? What does she give the men she sleeps with?

8. Is Joncour really disinterested in what is happening in Japan as the novel progresses? Is he following the news? Does he care if he ever gets back? What is holding his interest in his leisure time?

9. Why does the mistress bring an Asian girl for Joncour? What is this a symbol of for both of them?

10. What is the symbolism of the exotic birds kept caged at the house of Hara Kei? What does this tell Joncour? What else does Joncour see at Hara Kei's house?

(see the answer keys)

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