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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 does the lawyer say when Nataraj suggests they use the money he is owed to pay the court fees?

2. What is it that Vasu's guest wants printed?

3. What does Vasu want printed?

4. How does Nataraj feel about the enmity between him and Vasu?

5. Which of the following best describes Vasu?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What happens when the forestry officer comes to the press looking for Vasu?

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

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

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

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

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

9. What does Nataraj fear that Vasu will do in order to retaliate regarding the forestry officer and what does he do about it?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Vasu is a central character in The Man-eater of Malgudi. Write an essay about Vasu.

Part 1. Describe the character of Vasu. Who does he represent from the history of India?

Part 2. Give examples from the book of the actions of Vasu and explain how they parallel and symbolize the English occupation of India.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

At the end of the book The Man-eater of Malgudi, the townspeople assume that Nataraj has murdered Vasu. Write an essay about this topic.

Part 1. Why do the people assume Nataraj has murdered Vasu? What is the historical statement that R.K. Narayan is trying to make?

Part 2. How does Nataraj feel about being accused of the murder? What does he do to establish his innocence?

Part 3. If Vasu had been alive when Nataraj went up to his room to save Kumar during the procession, do you think Nataraj would have succeeded? What would the outcome of that show down have been?

Part 4. How does the accusation of murder affect Nataraj after the affair is over? What are the long term consequences for him?

(see the answer keys)

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