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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 has Aso not promised Misako?

2. What does Kaname say he will not do after he divorces?

3. In Chapter 1, on what grounds does Misako say she will attend the show?

4. What does Misako comment Kaname always likes in Chapter 6?

5. Why does Kaname think Misako is in a hurry to get home after the puppet show?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hiroshi worry about the trip Takanatsu invites him on to Tokyo?

2. What holiday does Misako think about in Chapter 6? What does she wonder about this day?

3. What does Takanatsu let Misako look at in his suitcase? What jokes does Takanatsu make to Misako, which she reacts to in seriousness?

4. In chapter 3, what does Kaname consider he has always hated? What does Kaname admit Osaka reminds him of?

5. Why is Misako glad that Takanatsu is taking Hiroshi to Tokyo for a few days?

6. What does Kaname think about on the train ride to the puppet theater?

7. In Chapter 5, what does Kaname realize he has been looking for during his entire marriage?

8. What does Misako notice about her relationship with Kaname when Takanatsu is around? To what does she attribute this difference?

9. What does Takanatsu encourage Kaname to do in Chapter 4?

10. Who is O-hisa? What does Misako think of O-hisa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze Tanizaki's use of symbolism in the novel "Some Prefer Nettles." What are some examples of symbolism in the novel? What do these symbols represent?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and interpret the character Kaname. What are his defining character traits? What role does he have in the novel? Is he an influential character? Why or why not? What major events take place in his life during the narrative? How do these events impact his life?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the conclusion of the novel "Some Prefer Nettles." How does the novel conclude? Is it a happy ending for Kaname? Why or why not? Is the ending believable? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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