A Dark Night Passing Chapter Quiz

Author Information

• Born: February 20, 1883 (Japan)
• Died: October 21, 1971, Japan, aged 88; cause of death: Pneumonia
• Famous work: A Dark Night Passing
• Occupation: Japanese novelist and short story writer (20th century)
• Award: Order of Culture in 1949

Chapter Theme - A Dark Night Passing

• The story highlights how adults can stifle talent.
• Seibei, a primary school student, is very talented at collecting gourds.
• He spends his time collecting gourds, knowing where they are sold in the city.
• One day, he is caught with a gourd at school.
• Seibei's teacher confiscates it and complains to his father.
• Seibei's father punishes him for collecting the gourds.
• The teacher gives the gourd to a porter, who then sells it to a curio dealer for 50 yen.
• The dealer sells the gourd to a collector for 600 yen.
• Seibei becomes engrossed in making pictures, but is reprimanded by his father.
• The story illustrates how his interest and talent were suppressed.

Student's Interests and Habits

• Seibei's interest is collecting gourds
• Seibei collects round and symmetrical gourds
• He also enjoys making pictures

Summary of Events

• Seibei collects gourds as a pastime.
• He is caught with a gourd at school.
• The gourd is taken away by the teacher and sold.
• Seibei's talents for collecting and making art are opposed by his father.
• The story's theme shows how societal pressures can crush talents.

Objective Questions (from the provided text)

• Question 1: What type of gourd did Seibei prefer?
  • Answer: Round and symmetrical gourds.
• Question 2: How much did the curio-dealer pay for the confiscated gourd?
  • Answer: 50 yen
• Question 3: What does Seibei do after losing interest in collecting gourds?
  • Answer: He focuses on creating pictures.
• Question 4: What kind of literary work is The Artist?
  • Answer: A short story.
• Question 5: What nationality was Shiga Naoya?
  • Answer: Japanese.
• Question 6: How much did the curio-dealer sell the gourd for, to the collector?
  • Answer: 600 yen
• Question 7: What was the price of the five-inch gourd?
  • Answer: Five yen.
• Question 8: What type of gourd did Seibei appreciate?
  • Answer: Even and symmetrical gourds.
• Question 9: Who destroyed Seibei's gourds?
  • Answer: Seibei's father.
• Question 10: How much did the old woman ask for the gourd in question?
  • Answer: Not provided; answer choices given are ten, fifteen, five, twelve.
• Question 11: What was Seibei's hobby?
  • Answer: Collecting gourds.
• Question 12: Where does Seibei attend school?
  • Answer: Primary school.
• Question 13: How much did the porter sell Seibei's gourd for?
  • Answer: 50 yen.
• Question 14: What type of literary piece is "The Artist"?
  • Answer: A short story.
• Question 15: What does Seibei use to mask the gourd smell?
  • Answer: Not specifically identified in the text, but options given are tea leaves, banana leaves, neem leaves, tulsi leaves.
• Question 16: How much was the curio dealer paid?
  • Answer: 50 yen
• Question 17: Who was scolded for painting pictures?
  • Answer: Seibei.
• Question 18: What is a gourd?
  • Answer: A vegetable.
• Question 19: Who is the victim of injustice in the story?
  • Answer: Seibei.
• Question 20: To whom did the curio dealer sell the gourd to?
  • Answer: Collector
• Question 21: Who said that it is the duty of parents to ensure particular events don't repeat themselves?
  • Answer: The headmaster.
• Question 22: Who used to polish the gourd under their desk during class?
  • Answer: Seibei (or possibly Meibei). Note: information may be slightly ambiguous.

Test your understanding of the themes and characters in the chapter of 'A Dark Night Passing'. This quiz explores how Seibei's talents are stifled by the adults around him, showcasing the conflict between creativity and societal expectations. Dive into the narrative to discover key insights about childhood, talent, and the consequences of suppression.