Short Story - "The Aged Mother" Quiz

This story is set in a region called "Shining". Shining is most likely in the country of

• Japan

• Germany

• United States

• Pineapple Cove

What type of narration?

• First Person - The Mother

• First Person - The Farmer/Son

• Second Person - The Despotic Leader

• Third Person - The Author

The Protagonist of the story - the character who changes the most, is the

• Mother

• Despotic Leader

• Farmer Son

• Villagers

Check all of the events below that create tension in the story.

• The custom of abandoning old people to die on a mountain.

• The harsh rule of the despotic leader

• The decision of the Farmer/Son to break the rule and hide his mother

• The decree to "Make rope of twisted straw."

Which of the following is NOT a climax in the story (there can be more than one climax in a story!)

• The Farmer/Son's decision to NOT abandon his mother

• The mother leaving a twig trail for her son to follow.

• The decree to make a rope of ashes.

• The Farmer/Son revealing that he had hidden his mother and not obeyed the law to abandon her on the mountain.

This story is a parable. It is a story with a moral lesson. Which of the following BEST expresses the moral of this story?

• Obey any leader, no matter how bad they are.

• Follow your heart.

• The wisdom of the old is important and should be honored.

• Mothers weigh too much to carry up a mountain.

Which of the following can NOT be inferred from the story about Japanese culture.

• Japanese people are clever.

• It is important to obey leaders.

• Respect towards parents is very important.

• Wisdom is valuable.

"With the crown of snow, there cometh wisdom." What does this saying really mean?

• Spend some time on a mountain top in freezing snow and you will be wise.

• A rope of ashes is as valuable as snow on a mountain.

• Carrying mother on your back is like a mountain carrying snow on its peak.

• The older people get, the wiser they are.

Which of the following lines BEST describes the author's attitude towards the mother?

• "her loving heart grew anxious."

• She said, "The mountain road is full of dangers."

• "Wait!" she said, "I will think. I will think."

• The trembling mother's voice was full of unselfish love as she gave her last injunction."

Who is the antagonist in the story?

• The Farmer/Son

• The Despotic Ruler

• The Mountain

• The Mother