Bibi Haldar
Miscellaneous
Themes
Literary Devices/Elements
Marriage
100
What did Bibi long for the most?
What is a man (marriage) (160)
100
How do the citizens seek their revenge on Haldar and his wife for mistreating Bibi?
They took their shopping elsewhere; no longer shopped at Haldar's store; eventually drive him out of business (169)
100
Find elements of isolation on page 170.
What is Bibi was forced to live in the storage room so she would not infect the baby in the house.
100
Find the simile on page 165.
What is “frowning like a rice pot will get you nowhere” (165).
100
Why does Haldar refuse to "marry off" Bibi?
What is because he does not want to waste his profits on a wedding. (164)
200
With whom did Bibi live with?
What is her elder cousin and his wife (159)
200
What was Bibi's daily occupation?
"Her daily occupation consisted of sitting in the storage room on the roof of our building, a space in which one could sit but not comfortably stand, featuring an adjoining latrine, a curtained entrance, one window without a grille, and shelves made from the panels of old doors. There, cross-legged on a square of jute, she recorded inventory for the cosmetics shop that her cousin Haldar owned and managed at the mouth of our courtyard." (159)
200
What cures Bibi Haldar from her disease and isolation?
What is her baby son. (172)
200
Find an example of imagery in the story.
What is - “Her upper lip was thin, her teeth too small. Her gums protruded when she spoke” (160). - “She was a heavy woman whose powder, a shade too pale for her, caked in the creases of her throat” (163). -Answers may vary
200
Why does Bibi insist on being photographed?
What is so her photo can be circulated through the homes of eligible men and so her potential in-laws can know what she looks like. (164)
300
When Bibi suffers one of her major attacks on the banks of the fish pond one afternoon, what do the citizens remember stops Bibi's attacks?
What is leather (168)
300
When were Bibi's attacks most frequent?
What is summer (166)
300
In an attempt to isolate Bibi from the baby during pregnancy, what does Haldar's wife do? Name 2.
What is - wrap woolen shawls around her stomach - Bibi received different towel and soap to use - Bibi's plates were washed separately (167)
300
What is the tone of the story? (Consider Bibi's life)
In the story, Bibi’s tone is hopeless, negative, sad towards marriage. She is isolated because of her illness.
300
Name one way Bibi was "coached" by the citizens in order to prepare her for marriage.
What is - caress men with her expression; don't frown - engage in small conversations with nearby men (ex: the water bearer and coal supplier) - prepared Bibi for an interview ( 165)
400
Give two physical characteristics of Bibi Haldar.
What is - her shins were hairless with freckles - she was not pretty - her upper lip was thin - her teeth were too small - her gum's protruded (160)
400
When did Bibi Haldar's studies end?
What is after the ninth standard (9th grade) (163)
400
How far along was Bibi in her pregnancy when she was found by the citizens after her complete isolation?
What is 4 months. (172)
400
Explain an example of irony in the story.
What is -Bibi has a baby, even though her cousin wouldn’t let her be around her own baby. - Bibi cannot even take of herself, but has a baby at the end of story (taking care of someone else, helps her take care of herself) -Answer may vary
400
The citizens prepare Bibi for an interview if a groom were to ever consider her. What are two things that they tell Bibi may occur during an interview?
What is - most likely the groom will arrive with one parent, a grandparent, and either an aunt or an uncle - they will stare - ask several questions - examine the bottoms of your feet - the thickness of your braid - ask you to name the prime minister - recite poetry - feed a dozen hungry people on half a dozen eggs (165)
500
What are two remedies that Bibi tried, but failed to cure her disease? (Note: there are many)
What is - holy water from seven holy rivers - wise men massaged eucalyptus balm into her temples and steamed her face with herbal infusions - taken by train to kiss the tombs of saints and martyrs - amulets (lucky charms) girded her arms and neck warding off evil spirits - gain weight - lose weight - sleep beyond dawn - in bed till noon - perform headstands - chant Vedic verses at specified intervals throughout the day - take her to Calcutta for hypnosis - shun garlic - consume disproportionate quantities of bitters - meditate - drink green coconut water - swallow raw duck’s eggs beaten in milk (158-59)
500
Name two "imprudent details" Bibi shares about Haldar and his wife, when Haldar refuses to publish Bibi's picture in the newspaper.
What is - on Sundays he plucks hairs from her chin - they keep their money refrigerated under lock and key - in the bath she applies chickpea flour to her arms because she thinks it will make her paler - the third toe on her right foot is missing - the reason they take such long siestas is that she is impossible to please ( 164-65)
500
What is ironic about Bibi's isolation?
What is she is surrounded by people who try to help her, but because of her "sickness", those same people isolate her. "But she was not our responsibility, and in our private moments we were thankful for it" (167).
500
Find the hyperbole and example of consonance on page 163.
What is - “Haldar’s wife, convinced that the devil himself possessed her, kept Bibi away from fire and flame” (163).
500
Haldar places a one line advertisement in the paper to appease Bibi and solicit a groom for her. Name one of the "characteristics" in the one line advertisement.
What is - girl - unstable - height 152 centimeters - seeks husband (165)
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