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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. How does Uma's mama respond to Uma's return?

2. Where is the ashram situated?

3. What does Uma collect?

4. Who often give Uma something to add to her collection?

5. What does Uma say the atmosphere at the Ashram is like?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How does Uma feel about Mira-Masi?

5. How does Uma compare herself to Aruna?

6. What makes one possible husband for Uma not ideal, but why do Mama and Papa decide to negotiate anyway?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

a) Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Fasting, Feasting.

b) Trace and analyze one major theme of Fasting, Feasting. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

c) Trace and analyze two secondary themes of this book. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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