View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Mira-Masi go to live?

2. What does Arun do when Melanie responds to seeing him in the woods?

3. What does Papa write to Arun about Mrs. Patton?

4. What was difficult for Arun during his first year at school?

5. What does Mr. Patton not acknowledge?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the cashier at the grocery store upset Mrs. Patton and what does she ask Arun concerning the situation?

2. How does Uma seem different from the other guests at Mrs. O’Henry’s?

3. What does Mrs. Patton say upon hearing that Arun is a vegetarian?

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

5. What does Anamika's husband say about her death, and how do the neighbors contradict him?

6. To what does Mrs. O'Henry invite Uma, and what do her parents feel about the event?

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

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

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

10. Why does Arun enter the water so quickly despite not being able to swim well?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Chapters 1 and 2 define the plight of female children born in India. Families desire male children to continue the family line and do not attempt to conceal their delight when a boy child is born, as in the case with Arun. Female children are raised without the benefit of much, if any, education until they become of age and can leave home in arranged marriages. Uma's disappointment at having to leave the convent school is heightened when Papa does not intervene and save Uma from a fate of domesticity.

a) Discuss the ways in which Uma’s life was affected by being born female in Fasting, Feasting.

b) Discuss the ways in which education would have changed Uma’s life.

c) Discuss the difficulties that Arun faces by being the only male child in his family.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

a) What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

b) Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Fasting, Feasting, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

c) Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Fasting, Feasting. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,043 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample