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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 Uma spend her life doing?

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

3. How does Uma feel in comparison to Aruna?

4. What does Uma do when she finds the person for whom she is searching in Chapter 3?

5. What is the result of the birth of Arun on Mama's position in the community?

Short Essay Questions

1. When does Uma realize what she has lost in leaving the ashram?

2. In the opening to the book, what does Uma do while her parents are sitting on the veranda?

3. How does Uma and her family learn that the prospective groom is not interested in Uma?

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

5. What does Uma do one night when Mama and Papa have gone out?

6. How does Uma compare herself to Aruna?

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

8. How does giving birth to a male child affect Mama's status?

9. Who are the main Indian characters?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Although Arun is Papa's favorite child, and the one on whom much effort and expense are expended, Arun does not understand this favorable position and does not extract any joy from it. Although Uma loves Arun, she cannot help but feel some jealousy and irritation at Arun's advantages and his resulting lack of enthusiasm.

a) Do you think Arun might become a feminist? Why or why not? Use examples from the story to support your answer.

b) Do you think it is advantageous to Arun to be his father’s favorite child? Why or why not?

c) Discuss the reasons it might seem natural for Uma to have some jealousy and irritation towards her brother.

Essay Topic 3

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

a) Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Will Desai. What in Desai's background may have helped her in writing Fasting, Feasting? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

b) Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

c) What does the term "author agenda" mean?

d) Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Desai's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Desai's probable agenda concerning that idea.

e) Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface? Why or why not?

f) How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author? Explain your answer with examples.

(see the answer keys)

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