View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do Uma and Aruna feel about their mother's pregnancy?

2. What does Uma fear as she dials a phone number in Chapter 9?

3. What irritates Papa when they go to the park?

4. What decision do Uma's parents make that displeases her?

5. How often does Aruna bring her children to visit her parents and Uma?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are the main Indian characters?

2. How does Uma feel about Mira-Masi?

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

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

5. What is Uma's life like at the home of her new husband?

6. How does Uma compare herself to Aruna?

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

8. What happens when Aruna comes of age for marriage?

9. How do Uma and Aruna respond to news of their mother's pregnancy?

10. What do Uma and Ramu do one evening that causes Mama and Papa to be angry?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author connects Uma's strange, almost epileptic, fits to religious or spiritual events. The first time Uma collapses in one of her fits, she is in the presence of Mother Agnes at the Catholic convent school. Uma spins out of control, writhes on the floor, and shrieks hysterically when Mira-Masi tells Uma that she has the mark of the Lord on her. It is not clear yet why these fits happen at these specific times; but the author may be trying to symbolize Uma's need for release from her imprisoned life. Spirituality may be one method of achieving some sort of freedom. The fits may also symbolize the precipice of a new life for Uma who is likened to an infant when the pilgrim at the ashram hits Uma on the back to restart her breathing just as if Uma is freshly born again.

a) Discuss the reasons Uma’s fits might be considered either an escape or defense mechanism.

b) Discuss the symbolism of Uma’s fits in relationship to life with Uma’s parents.

c) Do you think Uma has control over her fits? Why or why not?

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

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss three of the following:

a) Fully explain why you think Fasting, Feasting is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

b) How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book?

c) Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content?

d) Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,024 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample