Elephant Run

Part 1, Prologue-Chapter 3

Reading Check

1. Hawk’s Nest (Chapter 1)

2. Hannibal (Chapter 1)

3. A knife (Chapter 3)

Short Answer

1. He is surprised that people appear unconcerned about the bombings and the threat to their lives. The reaction of the people is in stark contrast to the seriousness of their situation. (Part 1, Prologue)

2. His father is British, but Nick grew up, to some extent, in Burma. His mother is American, and Nick felt as though he was not part of the British culture. (Chapter 1)

Part 1, Chapters 4-6

Reading Check

1. He was attacked by a tiger. (Chapter 4)

2. Mya (Chapter 5)

Short Answer

1. He is believed to be able to speak to the elephants so that the elephants understand him. (Chapter 6)

2. The men tell Mya she is not permitted in the camp because girls are not permitted to be mahouts. Hilltop intervenes because there have been female mahouts before, and he doesn’t think they should prevent her from being in the camp. (Chapter 6)

Part 1, Chapters 7-9

Reading Check

1. Indaw (Chapter 7)

2. Hannibal’s iron bell (Chapter 9)

Short Answer

1. They are trying to starve out the hill tribes. (Chapter 8)

2. Their families want them to be safe from the Japanese invasion. They are afraid the children will be trapped on the island and endure some of the brutality that has been inflicted around the world. (Various chapters)

Part 1, Chapters 10-12

Reading Check

1. Japanese soldiers (Chapter 10)

2. A Japanese flag (Chapter 11)

Short Answer

1. Sonji is the enemy of the Burmese people, but he is kind to Nick and quotes haiku poems. The contrast between what Nick expects him to be and his kindness humanizes the Japanese soldiers. (Various chapters)

2. He tells Jackson he has a son and wife in America and can relate to his pain in having a son captured by the enemy. (Chapter 12)

Part 2, Prologue-Chapter 15

Reading Check

1. At Hawk’s Nest (Part 2, Prologue)

2. A gardener and famous haiku master (Chapter 13)

Short Answer

1. Mya was taken back to Hawk’s Nest and lived in the village with her aunt, who contracted malaria. After her aunt died, Mya was taken into the house and proposed to by Bukong. (Chapter 14)

2. The letter tells Nick what has happened to his father: He is currently working on the railroad in Burma and is not well. The letter also tells Nick to expect a visitor later that night. (Chapter 15)

Part 2, Chapters 16-18

Reading Check

1. It is filled with secret passageways. (Chapter 16)

2. An elephant carving (Chapter 17)

Short Answer

1. The reader is given the impression that the Colonel will kill Nick if his own son dies. Earlier in the novel, the Colonel compared Nick to his own son, suggesting that the Colonel will treat Nick as his son is treated. (Various chapters)

2. The Burmese are beginning to realize that the Japanese do not plan to be faithful to their promise to fight for Burmese independence. Because the Burmese are realizing they have been duped by the Japanese, many are thinking of joining the American and British armies. (Various chapters)

Part 2, Chapters 19-21

Reading Check

1. Bukong (Chapter 19)

2. In the walls of the house (Chapter 20)

Short Answer

1. Nick is angered that his father is in the internment camp and too sick to work. He has been put on light duty and isn’t expected to live long. (Chapter 20)

2. Mya says it is a place where fates are decided. Not only do the Japanese plan the fates of the Burmese people, but Nick’s family also decided the fates of the villagers in the library. (Chapter 21)

Part 3, Prologue-Chapter 24

Reading Check

1. Magwe (Chapter 24)

2. Hannibal (Chapters 24-25)

Short Answer

1. Hilltop met Sonji and Colonel Nagayoshi prior to their invasion of Burma. When he met them initially, he mentioned the plantation and feels responsible for their later occupation of the plantation. (Part 3, Prologue)

2. Nick plans to turn himself in in exchange for his father’s life. As an alternative, Hilltop agrees to help free Jackson and Indaw from the camp. Hilltop disguises Mya and Nick as Buddhist monks to aid in their safe travels to the camp. (Chapter 22)

Part 3, Chapters 25-28

Reading Check

1. Robin Hood (Chapter 25)

2. He has been asked to by an unknown source. (Chapter 27)

Short Answer

1. The novel describes the prisoners as gaunt, malnourished, and weak. (Chapter 26)

2. Hilltop asks Sonji to help him rescue Jackson. He convinces Sonji by telling him the soul does not have a nationality. (Chapter 28)

Part 3, Chapters 29-32

Reading Check

1. Hannibal (Chapter 30)

2. Australia (Chapter 32)

Short Answer

1. Hilltop and Sonji faked the death of Jackson so he could escape with his son and Sonji after the soldiers left him. (Chapter 29)

2. He realizes that Burma never belonged to him, and it was time for him to return his property to the Burmese. (Chapter 32)