The Last Samurai
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Questions and Answers

Who saves Katsumoto's life during the ninja ambush?

  • Omura
  • Emperor Meiji
  • Katsumoto's son Nobutada
  • Algren (correct)
  • Katsumoto is executed by the Imperial Army.

    False

    What is the name of the American military officer who helps Katsumoto?

    Algren

    The samurai use the Imperial Army's ______________ to lure them into a trap.

    <p>overconfidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the characters with their actions:

    <p>Algren = helps Katsumoto and joins the samurai Katsumoto = requests a meeting with Emperor Meiji Omura = orders Katsumoto's arrest Bagley = leads the Imperial Army</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    The Story of Nathan Algren

    • Nathan Algren, a former US Army Captain, is a skilled soldier who has become a bitter alcoholic traumatized by the atrocities he committed and witnessed during the American Indian Wars.
    • He is approached by his former commanding officer Colonel Bagley to train the newly created Imperial Japanese Army for a Japanese businessman, Omura.
    • Algren takes the job for the money and is accompanied to Japan by his old friend, Sergeant Zebulon Gant.

    The Imperial Japanese Army and the Samurai

    • The imperial soldiers are simply conscripted peasants with shoddy training and little discipline.
    • Algren meets Simon Graham, a British translator knowledgeable about the samurai, and learns about the samurai's rebellion against Japan's new emperor.
    • Katsumoto, the samurai leader, spares Algren's life and takes him prisoner after a battle.

    Algren's Transformation

    • Algren is taken in by Taka, Katsumoto's sister and the widow of a samurai killed by Algren, and learns the Japanese language and culture.
    • He overcomes his alcoholism and guilt, and is trained in the art of kenjutsu.
    • Algren develops sympathy for the samurai, who are upset that the pace of modern technology has eroded the traditions of their society.

    The Confrontation

    • Omura orders Katsumoto's arrest for carrying a sword in public and tells him to perform seppuku the next day to redeem his honor.
    • Algren refuses Bagley's offer to resume command of the army and joins Katsumoto's men to free their leader.
    • During the rescue, Katsumoto's son Nobutada is mortally wounded.

    The Final Battle

    • The samurai use the Imperial Army's overconfidence to lure them into a trap, inflicting massive casualties on both sides.
    • Katsumoto orders a suicidal cavalry charge on horseback, and the samurai withstand an artillery barrage and break through Bagley's line.
    • Algren kills Bagley, but the samurai are quickly mowed down by Gatling guns.
    • Katsumoto, mortally wounded, commits seppuku with Algren's help as the soldiers kneel in respect.

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    Description

    Nathan Algren, a former US Army Captain, is hired to train the Imperial Japanese Army to suppress a samurai rebellion in Japan.

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