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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 the prospective groom's family not offer a reciprocal invitation to Uma and her Mama?

2. Why does Anamika suffer a miscarriage?

3. What does Papa do every day after work?

4. Why do Mama and Papa not approve of what has happened at the opening to Chapter 5?

5. What happens when Uma is told she has the mark of the Lord?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Uma feel about the time she fell into the Ganges and was sinking?

2. Why does Papa want the family to eat meat, and who will not do so?

3. Why do Mama and Papa not approve of Ramu?

4. What does Mama do each day to prepare Papa for the day?

5. What happens when Aruna comes to visit her family several years after her marriage?

6. How does Uma feel about Mira-Masi?

7. Who does Uma call in Chapter 9, and what is the outcome?

8. How does Mother Agnes respond to Uma's pleas?

9. What is the atmosphere like at the Ashram that Mira-Masi and Uma travel to, and how does Uma feel about it?

10. How does Uma feel about her eligibility for marriage and how is she expected to act?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapters 1 and 2 define the plight of female children born in India. Families desire male children to continue the family line and do not attempt to conceal their delight when a boy child is born, as in the case with Arun. Female children are raised without the benefit of much, if any, education until they become of age and can leave home in arranged marriages. Uma's disappointment at having to leave the convent school is heightened when Papa does not intervene and save Uma from a fate of domesticity.

a) Discuss the ways in which Uma’s life was affected by being born female in Fasting, Feasting.

b) Discuss the ways in which education would have changed Uma’s life.

c) Discuss the difficulties that Arun faces by being the only male child in his family.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

a) Compare/contrast the characters of Uma and Arun. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

b) Compare/contrast the characters of Uma and Uma’s mother and father. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

c) Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Fasting, Feasting help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Fasting, Feasting belongs to the multicultural novel genre. Discuss each of the following:

a) Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the multicultural novel genre.

b) Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

c) What do you think is the difference between a multicultural novel and a historical novel or mystery?

(see the answer keys)

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