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. What do Padmini and Kapila discover when they return from their walk to the temples at the stop on the way to Ujjain?

2. When Padmini sleeps after singing a lullaby to her son, who do the dolls say she is dreaming of?

3. Kali says that the only reason Padmini told the truth when she found the dead men and wanted to kill herself was because what?

4. What does Kapila say to Devadatta before cutting off his own head?

5. What did Devadatta tell Padmini he did while at the Ujjain fair which surprised them both?

Short Essay Questions

1. What problem arises in regards to Padmini after Kapila and Devadatta’s heads and bodies are switched?

2. Describe the scene when Padmini sings her son a lullaby just before falling asleep.

3. What does Kapila do after he and Padmini return from their work to find Devadatta is gone?

4. What do the two dolls discuss just before and just after the baby is born?

5. What conversation do Padmini and Devadatta have about sandal oil after Devadatta returns from the fair?

6. What does Devadatta do while at the fair which is unusual behavior for him, and how does Padmini react to it?

7. What does the Goddess Kali mean when she says that Devadatta and Kapila lied “to their last breaths” (33)?

8. What does Devadatta say to Padmini about the life of a Brahmin after she tells him he never goes out anymore?

9. How does Padmini feel about being Devadatta’s wife after he has Kapila’s body and why?

10. What does Padmini do once Devadatta leaves for the Ujjain fair to buy new dolls for the baby?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing the role of sexuality in the play. Consider Padmini’s attraction to both men and her behavior as a result. Consider also that Padmini is a married, pregnant woman and discuss the commentary the author may be trying to make about sexuality.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing the ending of Hayavadana. How do you think this ending reflects the themes of freedom, friendship, or survival?

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 794 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample