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

2. What person does Vasu bring into Nataraj's parlor?

3. Who comes and wants to ask Nataraj questions about Vasu?

4. How does Nataraj return to Malgudi from Mempi?

5. How does Vasu choose the details of the printing job he wants done?

Short Essay Questions

1. What goes on the front room of the shop that Nataraj runs?

2. How does Nataraj feel about Vasu living upstairs?

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

4. What kind of events unfold in chapter one of "The Man-eater of Malgudi?"

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

6. How does Nataraj feel about Vasu living in the attic as he observes him practicing his profession? Why?

7. What business does Nataraj do when he is in Mempi?

8. Who does Vasu bring to the press to meet Nataraj, and what happens?

9. Who is Vasu, what is his history, and what is the first thing he does in his relationship with Nataraj?

10. What does Nataraj do when he has difficulty finding a puppy for the septuagenarian's grandson? How does his own son get involved?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the Man-Eater of Malgudi, Vasu is labeled as a rakshasa that wreaks havoc and destruction wherever he goes. Write an essay about the destruction caused by Vasu.

1. Vasu causes destruction even as his livelihood. Write about the destruction Vasu causes in his pursuit of taxidermy, including both the initial damage and the consequences affecting those around him.

2. In what other ways does Vasu cause destruction? What are his intentions? Does he see the destruction he generates?

3. What is the destruction as seen by the eyes of Nataraj? What is the worst, according to him?

Essay Topic 2

R.K. Narayan portrays and unflattering picture of science and logic in The Man-eater of Malgudi. Write an essay about this topic.

Part 1. What character most represents a scientific and logical standpoint? How does this character get along with those around him? What is he governed by?

Part 2. Who is most counters science and logic in the book? How?

Part 3. Cite some interactions between characters to give insight into the point R.K. Narayan is making about the interaction of the spiritual with logic and science.

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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