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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 is the implication of Mama's illness for Uma?

2. What does Arun notice as he escapes the Patton's arguing?

3. What does Melanie do when she sees Arun walk up to her in the woods?

4. What almost physically repulses Arun on his next shopping trip with Mrs. Patton?

5. What does Mrs. Patton say she and Arun can do together?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Arun feel about his life in the United States?

2. What does Arun begin doing and why?

3. What does Mrs. Patton encourage Arun to cook?

4. What is Arun's reaction to his first trip to the grocery store with Mrs. Patton?

5. How does Arun feel when he receives an aerogramme from Papa?

6. What does Arun discover when he takes a walk into the woods?

7. Why does Arun go with Mrs. Patton and Melanie to the swim hole even though he does not wish to do so?

8. How does Arun feel when he finds Mrs. Patton sunbathing one day?

9. What does Dr. Dutt want when she comes one day to visit?

10. How does Mrs. Patton feel about Arun being in her home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

Discuss one of the following:

a) Trace and analyze the theme of food and eating in Fasting, Feasting. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with food? Why? What are some symbols of food? Symbols of scarcity? Why is food and eating important in this novel?

b) Trace and analyze the theme of gender roles in Fasting, Feasting. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to have an advantage in life due to gender? Why? How are women treated differently than men?

c) Trace and analyze the theme of family dynamics in Fasting, Feasting. What types of family dynamics are illustrated in the book? Are the families dysfunctional? How do family dynamics affect the characters and their responses to life?

(see the answer keys)

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