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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. After recovering from his illness, how does Mr. Biswas view his past?

2. What does Mr. Biswas dislike about Sharma?

3. What disease afflicts Bipti's father?

4. How does Mr. Biswas anger Owad?

5. In the prologue, what severance is Mr. Biswas given after he is fired?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the Tulsis consider Mr. Biswas a rebel?

2. What role does Seth play in assisting Mr. Biswas to recover from his illness?

3. How does the Tulsi family care for Mr. Biswas during his illness?

4. Describe young Mr. Biswas' second job.

5. What must Mr. Biswas and Shama do to reopen their shop and house in The Chase?

6. What explanation does Shama give for the store's financial problems?

7. Describe the first house Mr. Biswas builds for his family.

8. How does Shama react when Mr. Biswas loses his job?

9. Why does Pundit Jairam send Mr. Biswas home?

10. How does Mr. Biswas express his displeasure with his in-laws and his communal living situation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the cycle of personal freedom and dependence on the Tulsi family that Mr. Biswas experiences throughout the novel. What factors motivate Mr. Biswas to move away from the influence of the Tulsi family? What factors motivate him to return to the security of the family? What does Mr. Biswas have to do in order to finally break free from the social and financial dependence he has on his in-laws? What are the implications of this cycle for his children's future?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the meaning of the houses that Mr. Biswas purchases and/or builds throughout the story. What might each house's purchase or construction represent? What might the sale or destruction of the first several houses represent?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the differences between Eastern and Western standards of success. Which standard does the Tulsi family follow? Which standard does Mr. Biswas follow? How does the conflict with the Tulsi family affect Mr. Biswas' attitude towards success? How might his attitude affect the future of his children and grandchildren?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,073 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample