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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 Nataraj try to do for the poet?

2. What problem was encountered printing the poet's manuscript?

3. What does Nataraj's wife force him to do when she takes him home from the celebration?

4. How does Sen help Nataraj?

5. Why does K.J. come to the press?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Vasu's death discovered and made known?

2. What is the night and morning before the celebration like for Nataraj?

3. What incident with Nataraj happens in the crowds during the mayor's speech?

4. How does Sastri say that demons usually meet their demise?

5. What does Rangi's visit to Nataraj change at Nataraj's house? How?

6. What happens when Nataraj travels to Mempi with the information about the animal hospital?

7. What happens when Nataraj enters Vasu's apartment after hearing about his death?

8. What happens when the group with the police inspector go to visit Vasu?

9. What is the final interaction that Nataraj has with the adjournment lawyer? How is this different than the previous ones?

10. How did the police investigation turn out? What was the common belief about Vasu's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rangi is a minor, but pivotal, character in The Man-Eater of Malgudi. Write an essay about Rangi.

Part 1. Who is Rangi? What might she symbolize or represent?

Part 2. Rangi exerts great personal influence wherever she goes, even though she is seen as a "lowly" character. She is also participating as a important figure in the center of the festival and the procession. Explain what R.K. Narayan means by this.

Part 3. Rangi is closest to Vasu when he dies, and has the most plausible plan of all involved to save Kumar. What does R.K. Narayan mean to tell us by this?

Essay Topic 2

Consider this famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi: "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the ways its animals are treated."

Part 1. Do you agree with the quote? Why or why not?

Part 2. Why is this theme central to the story The Man-eater of Malgudi?

Part 3. How does the treatment of animals help define the characters of Nataraj and Vasu?

Essay Topic 3

The story of The Man-Eater of Malgudi takes place in India. Why is India a significant setting for this story?

Part 1. Why did R.K. Narayan choose India to be the setting for this story? Could it have taken place anywhere else?

Part 2. What cultural aspects of India are important for a full understanding of the story?

Part 3. What historical aspects of India are important for a full understanding of the story?

(see the answer keys)

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