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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 kind of henna meant the woman was loved by her husband?

2. What is a game that Lakshmi and Samir often play?

3. What does the builder do to Malik, when Malik tries to pay him the 200 rupees Lakshmi gave him, rather than the full amount owed?

4. When Lakshmi first meets Kumar, how does she describe his eyes?

5. Before the arrival of Lakshmi, what caste of women painted the hands and feet of Lakshmi’s clients?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the end of the Singh’s party end in trouble for Lakshmi?

2. Why did Lakshmi's ladies feel comfortable sharing private information with her?

3. Describe Sheela Sharma and Ravi Singh. How are they alike? What evidence from the story supports this?

4. What happy news is received at the Singh’s party?

5. Why does Lakshmi help women have abortions?

6. In 1950s India, did individual shame exist? How does Lakshmi explain shame in her culture?

7. What deal does Parvati offer Lakshmi regarding the match between Ravi and Sheela?

8. How had notebooks become important to Lakshmi?

9. How is Lakshmi a fallen woman in the eyes of her ladies?

10. Why does Lakshmi consider Sheela Sharma a good match for Ravi?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The definition of having wealth changes over the course of the story. How might wealth be described early on, especially by those in the high castes and by Lakshmi herself? How does this definition change over time? What does Lakshmi feel is important at the beginning of the story versus at the end? How does the author show the lack of wealth by those even in the higher castes? How does this relate to the Hindu Proverb from the Epigraph?

Essay Topic 2

Abortion is an important topic brought up in this book. It is also an important topic in our current culture. What are the views of the various characters regarding abortion? How do the views of the characters, in terms of their attitude regarding abortion, change throughout the story? How might these beliefs about abortion also represent modern beliefs regarding abortion? Overall, what does this book say about abortion? Use examples from the book to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

Reckless love is a theme for multiple characters in this book. Describe some of the relationships in this book and how they might be described as reckless. Why? What do these relationships reveal about the characters? How do they affect the characters, the plot, the outcomes in the story, etc.?

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