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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. Which of the following is a phrase used to describe Vasu?

2. How does Nataraj return to Malgudi from Mempi?

3. What is the state of the citrus tree behind the house on Kabir Street?

4. What action does Vasu take regarding where he lives?

5. What activity does Vasu start to engage in as his poaching becomes more difficult?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the business that Nataraj runs.

2. How are the relationships Nataraj has with the people around him?

3. How does Nataraj feel about Vasu living upstairs?

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

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

6. What happened to the transaction with the client that Nataraj left waiting when he left with Vasu?

7. What is the friendship between Vasu and Nataraj like after Nataraj tells Vasu he will need the attic?

8. Who is Rangi, and how do Sastri and Nataraj cross paths with her? What does Nataraj surmise when he starts seeing her?

9. Who does Nataraj employ at the printing press? What is his relationship with his hired help?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

The interactions between Vasu and Nataraj are especially important in The Man-Eater of Malgudi. Write an essay explaining why.

Part 1. Who do Nataraj and Vasu represent? Why are their interactions so important?

Part 2. Find interactions or dialogue between Vasu and Nataraj and analyze it as it relates to historical figures, groups, and events.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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