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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 does Arun not have the heart to tell Mrs. Patton?

2. What arrives that is intended to help Arun survive the Massachusetts winter?

3. Who does not come to the table for dinner at the Patton house?

4. Why is Arun moving to the Patton home?

5. Where does Mrs. Patton invite Arun to accompany her and Melanie?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What were Mama's and Papa's jobs concerning their children?

4. What is Rod Patton like?

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

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

7. What does Arun begin doing and why?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Chapter 4 is important because of the presence of Mira-Masi, a strong female character, in Uma's life. Uma is not quite sure why Mira-Masi's visits have always been so appealing, but she begins to understand that Mira-Masi represents an independent female figure that is very rare in Indian society and culture.

a) Do you think Mira-Masi could have done more to help Uma? Why or why not?

b) How did visits from Mira-Masi change Uma?

c) Discuss ways in which Mira-Masi might have been able to use her position in India to help change the plight of women in that country.

Essay Topic 3

Fasting, Feasting belongs to the multicultural novel genre. Discuss each of the following:

a) Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the multicultural novel genre.

b) Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

c) What do you think is the difference between a multicultural novel and a historical novel or mystery?

(see the answer keys)

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