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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 is Nataraj's intent when he goes up to Vasu's room when the procession is about to come by?

2. What was the town saying about Nataraj after Vasu's death?

3. What is the cause for the celebration that Sastri and Nataraj undertake?

4. What does Nataraj first credit the tapping on the grill he hears to?

5. What does Nataraj try to do for the poet?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sastri learn from Rangi about how Vasu died?

2. How did the police investigation turn out? What was the common belief about Vasu's death?

3. How is Sen able to help Nataraj?

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

5. Describe the uncomfortable interaction between Nataraj and the poet when Nataraj sees the poet passes by the fountain.

6. What is the celebration that is planned, and who is planning it?

7. What is the final interaction that Nataraj has with the adjournment lawyer? How is this different than the previous ones?

8. What thoughts consume Nataraj the day of the festival? What action does he take to prevent the thing he fears from happening.

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

10. What is Nataraj's first plan to keep Vasu from shooting Kumar?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"The universe," says Sastri, "has survived all the rakshasas that were ever born. Every demon carries within him, unknown to himself, a tiny seed of self-destruction, and goes up in thin air at the most unexpected moment."

This quote by Sastri represents a central theme of the book: the conflict of good and evil. Write an essay about the sentiment behind this quote.

Part 1. Do you agree with Sastri's sentiment? Does evil carry the seed of its own destruction?

Part 2. Cite other works, religious or fictional, that address this concept. What do they have to say?

Essay Topic 2

The story of The Man-Eater of Malgudi takes place in India. Why is India a significant setting for this story?

Part 1. Why did R.K. Narayan choose India to be the setting for this story? Could it have taken place anywhere else?

Part 2. What cultural aspects of India are important for a full understanding of the story?

Part 3. What historical aspects of India are important for a full understanding of the story?

Essay Topic 3

Rangi is a minor, but pivotal, character in The Man-Eater of Malgudi. Write an essay about Rangi.

Part 1. Who is Rangi? What might she symbolize or represent?

Part 2. Rangi exerts great personal influence wherever she goes, even though she is seen as a "lowly" character. She is also participating as a important figure in the center of the festival and the procession. Explain what R.K. Narayan means by this.

Part 3. Rangi is closest to Vasu when he dies, and has the most plausible plan of all involved to save Kumar. What does R.K. Narayan mean to tell us by this?

(see the answer keys)

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