Characters & relationships
who is the main character of "A Real Durwan"?
Boori Ma
Where does most of the story take place?
Calcutta / an apartment building
One major theme of the story is Materialism, true or false?
True
What does the word "Durwan" mean
Doorkeeper or gatekeeper
What job does Boori Ma perform in the apartment building?
She is the building durwan/doorkeeper
What improvements were made to the building during the story?
A Water Basin is installed for the residents by Mr. Dalal
Boori Ma represents many people displaced by what historical event?
The partition of India
Who says, "Believe me, don't believe me. Such comforts you cannot even dream of."
Boori Ma
which residents begin to appreciate Boori Ma more after the staircase is improved?
trick question (all of them)
What important item is stolen at the end of the story?
the Water Basin
What does the stolen sink symbolize in the story?
Status, Modernization, and material wealth
What it a Sari
Its a Traditional indian garment of clothing
Who offers to buy Boori Ma more quilts? Why does it matter?
Ms. Dalal, Boori Ma is considered an inferior to every resident in the apartment, so when she offers to give her quilts, she breaks the roles she plays as her superior and treats her like an equal.
What happens to Boori Ma at the end of the story? and why is it important
She gets kicked out, its important because all of the positive things she has done for the building and the residents became of no importance when people started accusing her of informing the robbers.
What theme is shown when the residents quickly turn against Boori Ma?
Alienation, Betrayal and social exclusion
Who said this quote, "Boori Ma, how long have you slept on this bedding?"
Ms. Dalal
how does boori mas relationship with the residents change throughout the story
starts with residents tolerating her and ends with suspicion and disrespect towards her
Why is Boori Ma's removal at the end an important turning point in the storys message
It shows how quickly communities can sacrifice compassion and loyalty to protect themselves
How does Lahiri criticize society through the residents' treatment of Boori Ma?
She shows how people abandon compassion in favor of status and self-interest
what does the repitition of boori ma's phrase "believe me, dont believe me" suggest about how others perceive her credibility
it creaets a sense of uncertainty about what she says and weakens her credibility