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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 does Meet Singh believe Europeans have no morals?

2. What does Chand do with the young prostitute in the middle of Chapter two, section two?

3. What does Chand do to the young girl at the end of this section?

4. What party does Iqbal work for?

5. Why doesn't the lambardar tell the people what is happening?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Chand tell the Subinspector to do in terms of Malli and his gang, in Chapter 2, section 3?

2. Describe Nooran, as the dacoits describe her.

3. What is revealed about Jugga's physical appearance, and his father, in Chapter 1, section 2?

4. Describe the events at the rest house, by season, as experienced by the officers.

5. Describe Iqbal's view of Indians, in terms of sexuality.

6. Explain what Jugga's mother gives as proof of his innocence, and his response.

7. Explain why Jugga says he would not have killed Ram Lal.

8. Explain the situation between Muslims and Hindus and Sikhs, as discussed by Chand and the Subinspector in Chapter 1, section 2.

9. Describe Imam Baksh's belief of how a religious man is seen. and why.

10. Describe Meet Singh's appearance.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Symbolism is used several times in the book. Discuss the Sutlej, the ghost train, and the monsoon, and how those objects are used as symbols in the novel. Be sure to be expansive in your explanation and include support from the book for your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Hukum Chand's comments about the indifference of a bullet with Iqbal Singh's discussion of the neutrality of the bullet. What are both men trying to say? How do those comments reflect their feelings about conflict and sacrifice? Be sure to be detailed in your analysis.

Essay Topic 3

One of the primary themes in the novel is the concept of the communal action, both in terms of peace and in terms of communal violence. Explain the concept of communal action. In the beginning, what is Mano Majra, in terms of its sense of community? How is that changed? What is the sense of community by the end of the novel? Since no violence occurred inside the village as a result of the Hindu/Muslim conflict, what drove a wedge between the two sects? In the end, does anyone benefit from the communal violence? Why or why not?

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