Comprehension questions 1
Why don't Hari believe that Jagu live in Zopadpatti?
Jagu is a restaurant owner, so Hari didn't think that Jagu would be living in such slum.
Living in the kitchen, why did Hari feel like he was locked in prison?
Because the kitchen was very small, and Hari felt very lonely living in it.
Why do you think Jagu's wife talked very nicely to Hari after her husband left?
She is probably a kindhearted person, but because of poverty, she didn't want to share anything when she could barely survive herself. She may also be mad that Jagu always brings his friends home and raises his voice at her.
Name one of the internal conflicts found in this chapter.
Where did Lila earn the money from?
From Sayid Ali Sahib, who lives at Mon Repos and is staying there until the monsoon is over.
How often did Lila visit her parents at the hospital?
She visited her parents once a week.
Do you think the villagers in Thul love or hate Biju? Why?
They love and hate Biju both at the same time because they hate Biju when he is mouthful and disrespectful to the other villagers who are poorer than him, and they also love Biju because he saved fishermen from drowning in the sea.
What kind of conflict did Biju have?
Man vs man
How is Lila's mother's health condition?
She is getting better and brighter.
Why did the fishermen's boat drown and Biju's boat did not drown?
Because Biju did not launch his boat during the monsoon, and other fishermen didn't listen to Biju's advice.
What do you think motivates Hari to adapt to life in the city?
⁃ Escape from hardship in the village
⁃ Desire to learn new things
⁃ Desire to save his family from poverty
⁃ Got inspired by Mr. Panwallah
What are the themes of this chapter?
- Benevolence
- Ignorance
- Change and adaptability
Why did Lila say that Hari would come at Diwali?
Because Hari couldn't come during the monsoon since there were no ferries available, so the only possible time that Hari could come is at Diwali.
What is Zopadpatti?
Zopadpatti is a slum where Jagu lives
Compare the differences and similarities between life in the city and life in the village during the monsoon.
Similarities: economic decline, people finding it difficult to earn a living, flooding and stormy
Differences: more dangerous in the village than in the city, it's easier to earn money in the city than in the village, trees and crops are damaged in the village.
What is Hari's character development in this chapter?
Developed a closer relationship with Biju and Mr. Panwallah.
Who was the only friend that Hari thought he had?
Mr. Panwallah
Why did Hari stop being afraid of Jagu's wife and start talking to her?
Because he felt her feelings about dealing with drunk men like how he and Lila were dealing with their father, and this encouraged Hari to open up to her.
What gender role can you spot in this chapter?
Partly in the chapter:
Traditional gender role, in which men go out and work to earn a living and women take care of children and household chores (Jagu and his wife).
List one of the situational ironies used in this chapter.
Possible answers:
1. Biju saving the fishermen
2. Jagu's living condition
3. Lila's father giving up on drinking