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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 "Once There Was a King," when does the princess finally tell the Brahman's son that she will answer his question?

2. Where does Bishambar live?

3. Who is Ratikanta?

4. In "Once There Was a King," what does the princess make for her young husband?

5. Who does Haralal's mother want to make dinner for?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Phatik is taken to his mother's house?

2. How does Nanibala feel about Venu's relationship with his tutor?

3. How does Ratikanta treat those who come to see his patron?

4. What does Haralal do when he finds the money missing and reads the letter from Venu?

5. How has Venu changed when Haralal goes to see him after his mother's death?

6. How does Venu react to Haralal leaving?

7. How do Venu and Haralal initally get along?

8. How are 14-year-old boys characterized in "The Home-Coming"?

9. What happens when the other children at the boy's school ask him about the princess?

10. What does the narrator wish upon hearing about the Brahman's son marrying the princess?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Once There was a King" can be seen as a fairy tale about fairy tales, in which the story is used to comment upon a generational divide. Analyze Tagore's presentation of this commentary and how he uses the narrative to support it.

Essay Topic 2

Use examples from three of Tagore's stories to analyze how the concept of fate informs his narratives.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the tone of Tagore's writing. Identify the tone and use specific examples of the syntax used to achieve it.

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This section contains 746 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample