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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 product does the diseased driver's employer sell, according to Balram in “The Fourth Night”?

2. What Hindu goddess does Balram describe in a white sari with gold sovereigns dripping to her feet in "The First Night"?

3. What is the name of the English liquor store where Balram goes to get liquor for the Stork's family?

4. Balram claims in "The First Night" that "Only three nations have never let themselves be ruled by foreigners." What are these nations?

5. What color headbands are the protesters in the second truck wearing in "The Second Night"?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Balram describe his feelings about leaving his home village after the death of his father in "The Second Night"?

2. How would you describe Balram's impressions of politics in India in "The Fourth Morning"?

3. What is the significance of the t-shirt that Balram purchases in "The Fourth Night"?

4. How does Balram compare Mr. Ashok and Mukesh Sir in "The Second Night"?

5. What foreshadowing can be seen in the narrator's descriptions of English liquor in "The Second Night"?

6. How do the events of Pinky Madam's birthday begin in "The Fourth Night"?

7. How does the author develop the theme/motif of darkness and light in "The Fourth Morning"?

8. Who does Balram refer to as "the diseased driver" in the narrative? Where does he meet this character?

9. How does Balram describe the history and evolution of caste system in India in "The Second Night"?

10. What is the significance of Balram's encounter with the beggars on the side of the road in "The Fourth Night"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What circumstances and events lead Balram to leave the village where he was born and grew up? Where did he first go? With whom did he go? What work did he find there?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the symbolic and metaphorical significance of the Black Fort in the story. What does this setting represent to Balram? What literary allusion is tied to this imagery?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the murder of Mr. Ashok in the novel. Who kills Mr. Ashok? Why? What objective is achieved through Mr. Ashok's death? Do you think that his murder is justified? Why or why not?

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This section contains 955 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample