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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. How is Thanappa, the postman, different than usual the morning after the procession?

2. How does Nataraj's wife change when Rangi comes to visit?

3. What does Vasu leave in Nataraj's possession after their discussion about money?

4. How do Nataraj and Sastri raise money for the celebration?

5. What does Nataraj's wife do when interviewed by the police?

Short Essay Questions

1. What incident with Nataraj happens in the crowds during the mayor's speech?

2. How is Sen able to help Nataraj?

3. What happens when Nataraj enters Vasu's apartment after hearing about his death?

4. What interaction to Vasu and Nataraj have after Kumar and the mahout leave Mempi?

5. What is the night and morning before the celebration like for Nataraj?

6. What happens when Nataraj travels to Mempi with the information about the animal hospital?

7. What does Rangi's visit to Nataraj change at Nataraj's house? How?

8. What happens when Nataraj visits Vasu as the procession approaches?

9. What happens when the group with the police inspector go to visit Vasu?

10. What happens between Vasu and Nataraj with Vasu's purse?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A big part of the message in the book The Man-Eater of Malgudi was in the way the book ended. Write an essay about the final happenings of the book.

Part 1. Discuss the symbolic importance of the various characters in the final chapters; Include at least Kumar in the procession, Nataraj at home, Vasu in his attic, Rangi dancing, and the poet's creation at the heart of the celebration.

Part 2. Now discuss the important actions taken by these figures and how they relate to historical events.

Part 3. Discuss the death of Vasu. How many characters tried to protect Kumar from him? Did any of them succeed in taking definitive action against him? What did foil Vasu? What is R.K. Narayan saying by that?

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 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?

(see the answer keys)

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