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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 Mira-Masi explain the two failed attempts at marriage for Uma?

2. Where does Uma accompany Mira-Masi when the old woman visits?

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

4. What does Uma collect?

5. Why do Mama and Papa travel to the city after reading the newspaper?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How do Aruna's wedding plans differ from those taken when Uma was to marry?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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).

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

a) Who is/are the protagonists of Fasting, Feasting, and how do you determine this?

b) Who is/are the antagonists of Fasting, Feasting, and how do you determine this?

c) Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot of Fasting, Feasting?

d) Are any of the characters in Fasting, Feasting dispensable? If so, which ones? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 991 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample