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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. Why must the narrator take Nitin back to the guesthouse?

2. What is Tariq Mia's purpose in telling this story?

3. If Master Mohan had the title _______, he would be more respected.

4. Why does Master Mohan kill himself?

5. What is the benefit of Nitin going to Vano Village?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Master Mohan not well respected?

2. Why is the Jain monk's only love the human heart?

3. What new attitude does Nitin develop while managing the tea estate?

4. Why does Dr. Mitra think the narrator has contracted the "Indian disease" of making everything holy?

5. How is our narrator similar to the Jain monk? What is he lacking to be truly like him?

6. What are the benefits of being a courtesan?

7. What are the father's philosophies on music?

8. Is the narrator obsessive compulsive?

9. Does the narrator begin to feel more of an authority on the subject of tribal rituals?

10. What does the narrator believe the purpose or use of the Narmada is?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the narrator's mental limits: what he understands and what disturbs him. Discuss what we are able to learn about the world in "A River Sutra" through his successes and shortcomings.

Essay Topic 2

Several characters attempt suicide in "A River Sutra". Discuss this compulsion amongst characters.

Part 1) Success and failure.

Part 2) Individual situation and reason.

Part 3) A blanket, overall condition with enlightenment.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the errors and successes in the narrator's spiritual journey. Please provide several examples of both errors and successes from the text to support your response.

(see the answer keys)

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