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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 makes Vasu change and become soft and agreeable?

2. What does Nataraj answer when Vasu asks him how many people he employs in his press?

3. What is the relationship between Nataraj and Vasu like for a couple weeks after the court summons?

4. Who gives Nataraj cold looks when he runs into them on the street?

5. What does Nataraj have stashed away up in his attic that he wishes to be rid of?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the story of the house on Kabir Street?

2. What is the affair regarding the septuagenarian and a dog?

3. What is the financial situation between Nataraj and the adjournment lawyer?

4. What is the purpose of the blue curtain separating the two rooms of the printing press, and why is this important to Nataraj?

5. When Nataraj goes into the attic with Vasu, what does he see? What transpires then between Vasu and Nataraj?

6. How does Vasu respond to Nataraj's first efforts to remove him from the attic?

7. How does Nataraj end up on a long day trip with no money and with a client waiting in his press?

8. Where does Nataraj seek help in resolving his legal affairs?

9. What happens when Vasu returns, and what does he want to show Nataraj?

10. Explain the relationship developing in chapter two between Vasu and Nataraj. What are their interactions like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Man-Eater of Malgudi is a piece of fiction that acts as a political commentary. Write an essay about artistic political commentary.

Part 1. How is the book The Man-Eater of Malgudi a political commentary? What is its message?

Part 2. What other art forms commonly act as political commentary? How?

Part 3. Cite or show another work that is also meant as a political commentary. How is it recognizable as such? What does it mean?

Essay Topic 2

In the book The Man-eater of Malgudi, Nataraj goes through a transformation. Write an essay about how Nataraj changes from the beginning of the story to the end.

Part 1. In the beginning of the book, what is important to Nataraj? How well does he fit into his community?

Part 2. As the book progresses, what influences exert pressure on Nataraj and induce change?

Part 3. By the end of the book, how has Nataraj changed? What is important to him? How well does he get along with the community around him?

Essay Topic 3

The green folder with the accounts for the festival is the catalyst for some awkward interactions between Nataraj and Vasu. What role do the festival accounts play?

Part 1. What does the green folder represent? Why is its transference from Nataraj to Vasu important?

Part 2. Vasu never returns the green folder, but rather declares it lost. What is the significance of this?

Part 3. After Vasu's death, Nataraj sees the green folder and carefully takes it back without leaving prints so he won't be accused of stealing. Explain the significance of this scene.

Part 4. When Nataraj finally has the green folder back he still finds very little actual money. Rather, there is just the lists of people who gave money for the festival. Explain the symbolism behind this and the point R.K. Narayan is making.

(see the answer keys)

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