Questions and Answers
Who is the author of 'The Wise Old Woman'?
What is the main character's occupation?
young farmer
Where does the story take place?
Small village in Japan
What does 'haughtily' mean?
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What is a decree in the context of the story?
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What does it mean to be banished?
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What problem did the mean Lord create?
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Who are the main characters in the story?
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What does 'clustered' mean?
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How did the mother help her son find his way back to the village?
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How long did the young farmer hide his mother?
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What does 'commotion' refer to?
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Who is Lord Higa?
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What does 'conquer' mean?
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What was the first thing that Lord Higa requested?
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How did the mother create the rope of ash?
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What was the second threat that Lord Higa made?
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How did the mother say to thread the hole in the log?
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What does 'commended' mean?
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What was Lord Higa's third command?
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How did the mother make a drum?
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Who keeps getting credit for resolving the threats?
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What does 'displeasure' mean?
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What was the resolution in the story?
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Study Notes
Author and Main Characters
- Yoshiko Uchida is the author of "The Wise Old Woman."
- Main character is a young farmer, who plays a pivotal role in the story.
- Additional main characters include the Mean Lord and the farmer's mother.
Setting and Context
- The story is set in a small village in Japan, highlighting rural life and traditions.
Themes and Conflict
- The Mean Lord issues a decree that results in the banishment of older villagers to the mountains.
- The overarching problem revolves around the conflict between the young farmer and the Mean Lord regarding treatment of the elderly.
Key Vocabulary
- "Haughtily" describes an attitude of arrogant pride, exemplified by the Lord's behavior.
- "Decree" refers to the law enacted by the Lord, leading to significant societal issues.
- "Banished" indicates the forced removal of individuals deemed undesirable.
Important Events and Resolutions
- The young farmer hides his mother for two years to protect her from the Lord's decree.
- "Commotion" arises from the turmoil created by the Lord’s orders, affecting the village.
- Lord Higa, the antagonist from beyond the hills, continuously threatens the villagers.
Challenges Presented by Lord Higa
- The first demand from Lord Higa is for a box containing one thousand ropes of ash.
- The mother cleverly creates the rope by soaking ordinary rope in salt water and burning it to retain shape.
- A subsequent challenge involves threading a piece of silk through a log with a complicated path, solved by using an ant tied to the silk.
Creative Solutions
- The mother devises a method to thread the silk by placing sugar to entice an ant, showcasing ingenuity and resourcefulness.
- The third challenge requires a drum that sounds without being beaten, which she solves by placing a bumble bee inside a paper drum.
Resolution and Wisdom
- Despite the young farmer receiving credit for solving the challenges, it is revealed that the true wisdom comes from older individuals.
- The conclusion highlights the importance of listening to and valuing the elderly, as their experiences hold significant knowledge.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key vocabulary from Yoshiko Uchida's 'The Wise Old Woman'. This quiz includes definitions for significant words and concepts found in the story, making it an excellent resource for understanding the text. Perfect for students and literature enthusiasts!