1. Why is the setting for this film located in sand dunes? How typical of Japan is this?

2. How does the man prove his identity at the beginning of the film? At the end of the film?

3. List several examples in which the man's perceptions are mistaken and have to be corrected.

4. How does the man's notion of being a victim change? How does that affect his relationship with the woman?

5. What does the man discover that improves the quality of life in the hole?

6. At the end, the man has a chance to escape from the hole, but decides to stay. How do you interpret this?

OBA MINAKO

1. List four categories of Oba's work.

2. What was the nature of Oba's involvement in WWII?

3. How might we contrast Oba's use of imagination with Tanizaki's?

4. What form of 'exile' did Oba Minako experience?