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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Rukmani goes into the village to sell her vegetables, what does Biswas tell Rukmani?

2. Which of Rukmani's sons actually dies from starvation?

3. During the construction of the hospital, what becomes Kenny's most frequent saying?

4. How many rupees do Nathan and Rukmani need for the journey back to their village?

5. When the doctor returns to the house, what do Rukmani and Nathan find surprising?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the Indian culture that Rukmani is born into, birth order is of vital importance.

a. Why is birth order important in Rukmani's culture? How does birth order affect sons? How does birth order affect daughters?

b. Where is Rukmani in birth order and how does her birth order impact her choice of spouses?

c. Where is Ira in the birth order and how does her birth order impact her choice of spouses?

Essay Topic 2

Rukmani meets three women at the brook doing laundry shortly after her arrival in the village. These women become important to Rukmani and we see them time and time again throughout our story. Identify and describe these three women. Compare and contrast the three of them with Rukmani.

Essay Topic 3

Death is one of the themes visited throughout the novel.

a. Kuti, Raja, and Nathan all die in the novel. Describe their deaths. Who were they surrounded by? What circumstances led to their deaths? Could their deaths have been prevented?

b. Compare and contrast the effect each of their deaths has on Rukmani (Kuti, Old Granny, and Nathan).

c. How were deaths handled in the city versus in the village?

d. After Old Granny's death, Rukmani realizes something about the nature of people. What is it? Do you agree with Rukmani? Support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 360 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample