Cultural Identity
In the story, the narrator refers to his family as "watered-down Indians" because they don't feel strongly connected to which country?
India
What are the two sweets mentioned first in the story?
burfi and gulub jamoon
Who is the narrator’s girlfriend?
Janet
What is Janet’s full name?
Janet Mahase
What is the name of the sweet shop the narrator and Janet visit?
Kush Valley Sweets
The narrator's family remains what religion, passed down from ancestors who left India?
Hinduism
What is the term used in the story for Indian sweets?
meethai
How does the narrator feel about how men look at Janet?
jealous or possessive
Why did Janet’s mother insist on naming her Janet?
wanting the name she couldn’t have as a child
What words are written on the shop's awning to describe its desserts?
"Desserts Fit For The Gods"
Which Indian festival, also known as the "festival of lights," is mentioned by Janet in the story, though she has little knowledge of its cultural significance?
Divali
What is another name for "sweetrice" mentioned in the story?
kheer
What does the narrator try to do before going to Main Street with Janet?
practice walking in a "jiggly-wiggly" way
Where was Janet’s boyfriend headed, and why was it significant to their relationship?
What is the mention of him moving to Australia with his new bride and the past tension it caused in their relationship?
What do the waiters do when Janet and the narrator enter the shop?
Stare intently at Janet?
Janet's family converted from Hinduism to which Christian denomination after Canadian missionaries came to Trinidad?
Presbyterianism
Why does the narrator avoid going to Main Street too often?
the fear of gaining weight from eating too many sweets
Why did Janet leave Trinidad quickly after finishing her A-levels?
escaping gossip about her appearance and behavior
What role did missionaries play in Janet’s family history?
converting her ancestors from Hinduism to Presbyterianism
How does the narrator describe the spices in Kush Valley Sweets?
"giving a big welcome hug" and lingering on their clothes
What did the narrator say when the vendor corrected her about the name of the dessert?
The narrator responded, “Yeh, well back home we does call dat sugarcake, Mr. Chumchum.”
How does the narrator describe the authenticity of the sweets they enjoy?
"pure sugar and condensed milk, pure sweetness"
How does Janet’s feminine appearance make the narrator feel about their own gender presentation?
self-conscious or insecure
What does the narrator imply about their own father’s "goodness"?
his involvement with many women and their children
Why does the narrator feel invisible in the shop?
the men focus solely on Janet’s beauty