Sign of the Chrysanthemumby Katherine Paterson

Day 8Discuss Chapters 16-18

Question 1How does Muna live after running

away from Fukuji and burying the sword in the mountains? How long

does he live like this?

Muna is a creature of the gate a homeless beggar. He is there for several months from summer to winter.

Pg. 118-119

Question 2

What is the political event that takes place in the

winter?

In a coup d’etat the Genji take the emperor prisoner and roam the city waiting for the Heiki to strike back.

Pg. 104

Question 3

What does Muna see that prompts him to go and dig up

the sword?

Muna sees the wood cutter talking to Genji samurai and he is afraid the wood cutter will lead them to the sword.

Top of pg. 120

Question 4

Why does Muna take the sword back to Fukuji?

To keep the Genji warriors from taking it. So it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. He felt guilty and is trying to do the right thing.

Pg. 121, 123

Question 5

When Muna could finally choose his own name, why did he decide not to change it?

Pg. 129-130 Muna decides that he is who he is and no other name would change that

Question 6

What did Fukuji do that showed Muna he was now his apprentice?

Pg. 132 Fukuji cut off Muna’s hair

Question 7

Did Muna ever find his father? How do you know?

No, because Muna gave up on his dream of a father. (pg. 130) He let go of his phantom of a father –he accepts Fukuji as a sort of father figure.

Question 8

Read the last line of the book. What do you think this inscription means?

Opinion – you have to make your own path in life, you have to endure conflict to grow as a person, both Muna and the sword are forged.