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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Vasu bring back to the building with him all the time after he starts going to the forest?

2. What is the relationship between Nataraj and Vasu like for a couple weeks after the court summons?

3. Which of the following best describes a philosophy practiced by Vasu?

4. Who currently lives in the house on Kabir Street?

5. Who interrupts Vasu and Nataraj's conversation? What is Vasu's reaction?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Nataraj employ at the printing press? What is his relationship with his hired help?

2. How does Vasu get along with the poet and Babu? Give examples.

3. Who is Vasu, what is his history, and what is the first thing he does in his relationship with Nataraj?

4. How does Nataraj feel about Vasu living in the attic as he observes him practicing his profession? Why?

5. Explain the transaction between Nataraj and the old Moslem.

6. What is in the second brown envelope that arrives for Nataraj and who is it from? What does he promise in response to it?

7. What is the financial situation between Nataraj and the adjournment lawyer?

8. What does Nataraj do early every morning?

9. When Nataraj goes into the attic with Vasu, what does he see? What transpires then between Vasu and Nataraj?

10. What does Nataraj fear that Vasu will do in order to retaliate regarding the forestry officer and what does he do about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

R.K. Narayan portrays and unflattering picture of science and logic in The Man-eater of Malgudi. Write an essay about this topic.

Part 1. What character most represents a scientific and logical standpoint? How does this character get along with those around him? What is he governed by?

Part 2. Who is most counters science and logic in the book? How?

Part 3. Cite some interactions between characters to give insight into the point R.K. Narayan is making about the interaction of the spiritual with logic and science.

Essay Topic 2

"The universe," says Sastri, "has survived all the rakshasas that were ever born. Every demon carries within him, unknown to himself, a tiny seed of self-destruction, and goes up in thin air at the most unexpected moment."

This quote by Sastri represents a central theme of the book: the conflict of good and evil. Write an essay about the sentiment behind this quote.

Part 1. Do you agree with Sastri's sentiment? Does evil carry the seed of its own destruction?

Part 2. Cite other works, religious or fictional, that address this concept. What do they have to say?

Essay Topic 3

In the book The Man-eater of Malgudi, Nataraj goes through a transformation. Write an essay about how Nataraj changes from the beginning of the story to the end.

Part 1. In the beginning of the book, what is important to Nataraj? How well does he fit into his community?

Part 2. As the book progresses, what influences exert pressure on Nataraj and induce change?

Part 3. By the end of the book, how has Nataraj changed? What is important to him? How well does he get along with the community around him?

(see the answer keys)

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