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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. In the Jain monk's story, the crowd at the ceremony is excited by what, other than his diamonds?

2. Where must Nitin submerge the figure?

3. No longer interested in women, Nitin is interested in _____.

4. Why does Nitin create a new persona?

5. Why doesn't the narrator want to take Nitin back to the guesthouse?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is India's perception of the West? The West of India?

2. What does the narrator believe the purpose or use of the Narmada is?

3. Why does Master Mohan's wife try to sabotage Imrat?

4. What is society's relationship with Naga Babas?

5. How does the narrator feel about Tariq Mia's village?

6. Why doesn't the narrator go near the caves again in Chapter 3?

7. Does the narrator begin to feel more of an authority on the subject of tribal rituals?

8. What is the question of Nitin's identity?

9. Why is Nitin an exception to Vano law?

10. What is the fault Tariq Mia observes about the narrator's attempt at enlightenment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the necessity of "understanding" and "renouncing" the world in "A River Sutra".

Part 1) How must one do this? What is to be gained?

Part 2) How does the narrator attempt this? What are his flaws?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss fact vs. fable in "A River Sutra" and the truth or fiction that can be found in both.

Essay Topic 3

Based on the various and vastly different accounts and interpretations of "enlightenment" in "A River Sutra", discuss what it means as a whole to the book.

(see the answer keys)

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