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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 stands in stark contrast to Uma's wedding plans?

2. What do Mama and Papa do on occasional evenings at the club?

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

4. Where does Uma go after making her phone call in Chapter 9?

5. What does Papa do professionally?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How is Anamika's life after her marriage?

5. How does Aruna feel about Uma's lack of marriage prospects?

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

7. Who are the main Indian characters?

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

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

10. Why does Papa go and bring Uma back home from her new husband's household and how does he react?

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

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

Choose one of the following to discuss:

a) Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Fasting, Feasting. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Desai chooses the symbols he does?

b) Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Desai chooses the metaphors she does?

c) Discuss Desai's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Desai use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

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