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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. About what is Uma's Papa outraged after she is married?

2. Why does Uma seldom have privacy anymore by Chapter 4?

3. How does Mama feel about the trip they make with Aruna’s in-laws?

4. What does the prospective groom's family do for a living?

5. When does Uma almost drown?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Why does Uma sneak out of the house one day?

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

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

8. What does Mira-Masi tell Uma one day about the mark of the Lord, and how does Uma react?

9. How does Uma compare herself to Aruna?

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

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

Characters are an important part of what makes Fasting, Feasting interesting. Discuss any two of the following:

a) Thoroughly discuss and analyze Uma. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

b) Thoroughly discuss and analyze Arun. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

c) Thoroughly discuss and analyze Uma’s father. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

d) Thoroughly discuss and analyze Uma’s mother. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

a) Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

b) What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Fasting, Feasting and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Fasting, Feasting is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

c) Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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