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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. After Devadatta leaves to get new dolls, where does Padmini tell the child she will take him?

2. Who does Devadatta first tell about the birth of his son?

3. What are the dolls discussing in Act II when they begin to roll around and fight?

4. When Devadatta moves the doll to look for a book, what does the doll tell the other doll about his hands?

5. Who does the Bhagavata tell the audience the three friends went to for answers at the start of Act II?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. After finding the child’s dolls torn up, where does Padmini suggest Devadatta do and what does she suggest he get while there?

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

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

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

6. How do Kapila and Devadatta react when they find they have swapped bodies?

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

8. Where does Devadatta go after he and Padmini return to Dharampura as husband and wife, and what does he purchase for their baby while there?

9. What does Padmini tell Devadatta after he asks her to prepare lime juice for his guest, and how does Devadatta react?

10. Describe the conversation between Devadatta and Padmini when she suggests they take the baby to the lake.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing Hayavadana’s commentary on religion during that time. Consider the role prayer, gods and goddesses, and temples have in the play.

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

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