Part One
1. Describe the relationship between Sadao and his father.
2. Why hadn’t Sadao been sent to fight in the war?
3. Describe the relationship between Sadao and Hana.
4. What do you think the heavy fog symbolizes?
5. What dilemma are Sadao and Hana faced with?
6. Why do they think it would be best to put the sailor back in the sea?
7. Why do they decide to take the man home?
8. Why do you think Sadao is worried about the servants?
Part Two
1. Describe Sadao’s father’s room. What does this description add to the story?
2. Why does Hana decide to ask Yumi to wash the sailor?
3. Why do you think Hana is afraid that the sailor might live?
4. In what way is the sailor different from the people Hana knew in America?
5. Yumi refuses to obey an order. Why doesn’t Hana insist?
6. Do you think the servants will report the incident to the authorities? Why or why not?
7. How does Hana’s attitude toward the sailor change during the operation?
8. Does Sadao’s attitude toward the sailor change after the operation? Explain.
Part Three
1. Why do you think Sadao didn’t want to know the man’s name?
2. Why did the cook think Sadao wanted to save the American’s life?
3. What was Hana’s conflict regarding the prisoner?
4. Why do you think Sadao didn’t send the report about the prisoner?
5. Why do you think Sadao didn’t ask the young man about his scars?
6. How does Hana react when she sees the messenger? Why does she react this way?
7. Why is Hana relieved?
8. Why is Sadao determined to get rid of the man?
Part Four
1. What do Sadao and the General have in common?
2. Why can’t the General allow Sadao to be arrested?
3. The General says that Sadao is the only surgeon he trusts. Does he really trust him? Quote from the story to support your answer.
4. Why does Sadao readily accept the General’s offer to send assassins? Why doesn’t he tell Hana about it?
5. What do we learn about the political climate in Japan at the time this story takes place?
6. What is Tom’s opinion of most Japanese?
7. Why is it difficult for Sadao to respond when Tom says: “I guess if all the Japs were like you there wouldn’t have been a war”?
8. Why does Sadao finally decide to help Tom escape?
9. Why do you think Sadao refuses to accept credit for saving Tom’s life?
10. Sadao does everything he can to help Tom survive. What does he do and why does he do it?
11. How does Tom show his gratitude?
12. Why do you think Sadao slept well that night?
Part Five
1. Why had the servants returned to Sadao’s home?
2. Why did the General look at Sadao “anxiously” after admitting that he had
forgotten to send the assassins? What was he afraid that Sadao might do?
3. Why didn’t Sadao need to fear the General anymore?
4. Why did the General say to Sadao: “You are a good man. You will be rewarded”?
5. The writer says that Sadao “had his reward” that night. Explain.
6. Sadao considered himself superior to white people. Do you think this attitude
was a result of his experiences in America? Why or why not?
7. Sadao felt relieved to be openly at war with America. Why do you think he felt this way?
8. Why did Sadao think it was strange that he could not kill Tom? Why do you think that he could not kill Tom?