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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 are Uma and Aruna disappointed concerning Anamika?

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

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

4. Why does the prospective groom's family not offer a reciprocal invitation to Uma and her Mama?

5. What is Papa's vocation?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

a) Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

b) Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Fasting, Feasting help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Fasting, Feasting? Why or why not?

c) Choose one specific incident in Fasting, Feasting to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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