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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. Why does Rukmani take Ira to see Kenny?

2. Why does Rukmani go into the village once or twice a week?

3. What is the village doctor's name?

4. Who helps Rukmani when she is in childbirth and then while she recovers from the delivery?

5. What does Ira wear on her wedding day?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the beginning of Chapter 21, Rukmani says that Selvam has ceased to belong to her and Nathan. Why?

2. Why does Old Granny die alone?

3. Why does Arjun go to work in the tannery?

4. Who are the three women that Rukmani first meets at the river shortly after arriving in Nathan's village?

5. Why do the villagers travel to Rukmani's home to see Ira's new child?

6. Why do Rukmani and Nathan not stay with Murugan's wife?

7. Why does Kenny think Selvam would be a good assistant?

8. When Kenny offers to help Rukmani after she confides she has no sons, what is Rukmani's initial reaction to his offer of help?

9. Why is Sacrabani isolated from the other children?

10. Why does Rukmani feel ashamed after learning from the three women at the river about her new home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nathan is portrayed as a kind, albeit poor, farmer. While this is generally true, the reader learns that Nathan is all too human and makes mistakes too.

a. Describe Nathan's character strengths and character weaknesses.

b. Give three concrete examples from the story that reflect one of Nathan's character strengths from the answer above.

c. Give three concrete examples from the story that reflect one of Nathan's character weaknesses from the answer above.

d. Identify Nathan's greatest mistake. Why does he confess to Rukmani and how does she react to his news?

Essay Topic 2

Old Granny and Biswas are both customers of Rukmani's. Compare and contrast Old Granny and Biswas in terms of their ability to pay, relationship to Rukmani, and standing in the village community.

Essay Topic 3

Rukmani and Nathan travel to the city to find their son. Instead of finding their son, however, they find his wife and learn that their son has deserted her. Ammu is now a single mother, as is Ira back in the village. Single parenthood drastically changes both of their lives.

a. Compare and contrast the lives of Ammu and Ira as single parents.

b. Compare and contrast single parenthood in the novel and in our society.

c. How did living in the city versus being in the village impact the situations of both Ammu and Ira?

(see the answer keys)

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