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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. How does Uma feel in comparison to Aruna?

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

4. What does Uma drink when out to dinner?

5. Why does Anamika suffer a miscarriage?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. How does Uma feel about Mira-Masi?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sometimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action-driven, and sometimes it is the other way around. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

What do you think it means to say that a plot is character-driven? Action-driven? How do you think a plot differs if it is character-driven versus action-driven? Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why? Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not? What type of plot do you think Fasting, Feasting is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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