1. How is Old Delhi different from New Delhi? Re-read the parts describing the city and note the words the author uses. Do the words create a sense of place?

2. Why does Raja choose Hindu College over his original choice?

3. Why does Bim begin to respond to Dr. Biswas and his invitations to take her out?

4. What is symbolic about the father's car that was left in the garage after his death?

5. What is the difference between the languages of Urdu and Hindi?

6. What resulted from Raja's admiration of Hyder Ali Sahid?

7. Why does Dr. Biswas feel a sense of failure after talking to Bim about Raja's tuberculosis?

8. How does Bim feel about her youth? Why do you think she feels that way?

9. What is the importance in the plot of the Misras brother, Mulk, and his drunkeness

10. Why do the children think of their father as the master of the entrance and the exit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This novel is set over a number of years, but almost always in summer. How does the author use the oppressive heat, the wild noisy birds, and the overgrown foliage to create imagery and the feeling of heavy weight on her characters, their actions and their decisions?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the relationship between Bakul and Tara, using dialogue and action to make your points. In your opinion, did the marriage change when Tara realized how mistaken she had been about her family members all these years?

Essay Topic 3

Several minor characters in this novel are highlighted during the novel: Mulk, Dr. Biswas, and Sharma. What role do these characters play in the progress of the plot? What role do they play in accentuating the character development of the main characters?

(see the answer keys)

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