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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. How many holy places will Misako's father's pilgrimage stop at?

2. How did Misako deal with Kaname's neglect?

3. What does Kaname say has caused Misako to develop a hard, bitter edge?

4. How often does Kaname visit Louise?

5. What kind of people are said to have a popular tradition of going on pilgrimage in Chapter 7?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Japanese puppet shows originate?

2. How does Kaname explain Misako has changed in Chapter 14?

3. When does the hotel manager suggest Misako's father and his party should attend the theater? When does Misako's father want to go?

4. Where does Kaname note Western-style buildings are erected in Japan?

5. What does Kaname note about the village he is in in Chapter 10?

6. What establishment does Kaname go to when he reaches Kobe? Why does Kaname like to go to this place?

7. What does Kaname think about as he tries to fall asleep in Chapter 9?

8. After assuring Takanatsu that Aso's intentions are honorable, what does Takanatsu assume?

9. What does Kaname think about the relationship between his father-in-law and O-hisa in Chapter 9?

10. Why does Kaname decide to send a letter to Misako's father to tell him about their divorce? What does Misako's father tell Kaname after he finds out?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the theme of East versus West in the novel "Some Prefer Nettles." What are some examples of Western influences in the novel? What does Kaname think of the Western influences? Which characters symbolize the East and which characters symbolize the West?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and interpret the relationship between Misako and Aso. How did they meet? What does Misako think of Aso? What does Aso think of Misako? What does Kaname think of Aso? What is the status of Misako and Aso's relationship by the end of the novel? Will they marry? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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