Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary reason the priests of Miidera prohibited women from striking the bronze bell?
What was the primary reason the priests of Miidera prohibited women from striking the bronze bell?
- They thought it would contaminate the bell, diminish its sound, and bring misfortune. (correct)
- They believed it would cause physical damage to the belfry structure.
- They feared it would disrupt their sacred duties and rituals.
- They worried it would attract unwanted attention from neighboring villages.
What motivated the woman from Kyoto to travel to the Miidera monastery?
What motivated the woman from Kyoto to travel to the Miidera monastery?
- She intended to perform a religious ritual to honor her ancestors.
- She sought to steal the bell and sell it for personal gain.
- She wanted to prove that the priests' beliefs about women were incorrect.
- She was driven by an intense curiosity and vanity regarding the bell. (correct)
How did the woman from Kyoto intend to use the bell to satisfy her vanity?
How did the woman from Kyoto intend to use the bell to satisfy her vanity?
- She intended to repaint the bell with more vibrant colors.
- She hoped to use its sound to attract a wealthy husband.
- She wanted to use its reflection to apply makeup and style her hair. (correct)
- She planned to melt it down and create jewelry.
What was the immediate physical consequence of the woman touching the bell?
What was the immediate physical consequence of the woman touching the bell?
Which character trait most directly leads to the woman's actions and the bell's subsequent damage?
Which character trait most directly leads to the woman's actions and the bell's subsequent damage?
What does the story suggest about the potential consequences of disrespecting cultural or religious beliefs?
What does the story suggest about the potential consequences of disrespecting cultural or religious beliefs?
How does the narrative contrast the woman's perception of the bell with the priests' perspective?
How does the narrative contrast the woman's perception of the bell with the priests' perspective?
Considering the story's context, what might the 'pollution' of the bell symbolize on a broader scale?
Considering the story's context, what might the 'pollution' of the bell symbolize on a broader scale?
What is the most likely reason the author specifies that the bell's note was 'clear, rich' before the woman touched it?
What is the most likely reason the author specifies that the bell's note was 'clear, rich' before the woman touched it?
If the priests had allowed women to participate in ringing the bell, how might the story's central theme be altered?
If the priests had allowed women to participate in ringing the bell, how might the story's central theme be altered?
Flashcards
Bell
Bell
A large metal object, typically bell-shaped, that resonates to produce a musical sound when struck.
Belfry
Belfry
A structure or tower housing a bell.
Irreverent
Irreverent
Showing disrespect or lack of reverence for things considered sacred.
Shrank
Shrank
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Exquisite
Exquisite
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Study Notes
- A great bronze bell existed in the ancient monastery of Miidera.
- The bell rang every morning and evening with a clear, rich note.
- The bell's surface shone like sparkling dew.
- Priests forbade women from striking the bell due to the belief it would pollute and dull the metal, bringing calamity.
- A pretty woman from Kyoto heard about the bell and became curious.
- Driven by curiosity, she ventured to see the bell of Miidera, wanting to make it send forth a soft note.
- She wanted to use its shining surface as a massive mirror to paint her face and dress her hair.
- The woman reached the belfry while everyone was absorbed in sacred duties.
- She gazed into the bell and saw her reflection.
- She touched the shining metal with her fingers, praying she might have a similar mirror.
- Where the woman touched the bell, the bronze shrank, leaving a hollow and losing its polish.
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