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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 unusual physical trait is discovered when the veil is pulled from Hayavadana’s face?

2. Who enters second after the Bhagavata completes his song which introduces the story?

3. What does Devadatta wonder if his new love will become his “disciple” (15) in?

4. What does Hayavadana say to Nata and the Bhagavata’s first suggestions regarding where to go to rid himself of his head?

5. After getting the flowers from the tree they saw on their way to Ujjain, what does Kapila tell Padmini the colors on the flowers represent?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Kapila offer to help Devadatta find his love?

2. What does the Bhagavata ask to happen before the performance after he sings Ganesh’s praise?

3. What does Nata tell the Bhagavata he saw on his way to the performance when he stopped to relieve himself?

4. How does The Bhagavata describe Devadatta at the beginning of the play?

5. After Devadatta and Padmini marry, how does Padmini’s behavior around Kapila make Devadatta jealous?

6. How is Ganesh’s mask used at the beginning of the play?

7. What does Hayavadana tell about who his mother married?

8. What does the Bhagavata say he thinks perhaps Ganesh’s appearance is to signify?

9. What happens when the Bhagavata sees Hayavanda behind the curtain with the body of a man and the head of a horse?

10. What happened to Hayavadana’s mother when she refused to go to the Heavenly Abode with the Celestial Being?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing the play Hayavadan’s commentary on gender roles. In what ways do the character conform to gender stereotypes of the time and in what ways do they go against these stereotypes?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring the conflict between body and mind in Hayavadana. Use direct examples from the text to support your viewpoint.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay explaining the significance of the title of Hayavadana. How does the title support the overall narrative tone and theme of the play?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 633 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample