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100
What is the category that Markandaya's writing was placed in, along with the work of Soyinka, Achebe, Walcott, Gordimer, and Rushdie? Why did the term fall out of use?
Commonwealth writers. Works are more dissimilar than the term suggests; different writing styles and experiences (Canada vs. India) Term also suggests that the most important commonality is tie to Britain Writers wanted to explore national identity.
100
How does Ruku react when the tannery opens? How does this compare with Nathan's reaction? (Bonus for Kunthi)
She is frightened and angry. In contrast, Nathan understands "there is no going back", (Bend like the grass quote) Kunthi welcomes the change (modernization and pay) (and calls Ruku ignorant)
100
Who is Sacrabani? What makes him different from other children? Who is his father?
Ira's son; he's albino; unknown father
100
Describe how the book can be considered cyclic. Why is it important that the book does not start with the present?
Novels end takes reader back to the beginning, when Ruku is recalling her life. This is important bc Ruku's death could cause a sense of futility, instead of the sense that Ruku will survive beyond her story.
100
What is the controversy over Markandaya's portayal?
Accurate or not? Markandaya doesn't have personal experience, so the book's setting and characters are part of an "imagined reality" (not necessarily inaccurate, but not written by someone with a lot of personal experience)
200
Where was Markandaya born? When?
In a Tamil village near Mysore. 1924
200
How old is Ira when she gets married? Who is the matchmaker?
14; Old Granny
200
What are the ways that Ruku and/or Nathan try to make money in the city?(2)
Ruku offers to read letters for people (not the most successful endeavor) Then Ruku and Nathan work at the quarry (w/ Puli)
200
What does the tannery symbolize?
Colonialism and modernism (important that they are tied together)
200
What award did the book win in 1955?
ALA "Notable Book" w/ 100000 dollar prize
300
Who was the author of "Minute on Indian Education"? (Hint: this person encouraged Anglophone learning in English [as opposed to encouraging native languages], and his perspective soon become the dominant one)
Thomas Babington Macaulay
300
Why does Ira return to the family? After how many years?
Her husband cannot have her as a wife bc she is infertile/has not had any children. 5 years
300
Who do Nathan and Ruku ask for directions to get to Murugan? Who do they meet there? Then where do they go?
Nathan and Ruku ask Puli for directions. They arrive at a (female) doctor's house, and the doctor tells them that Murugan no longer works for her. Ruku and Nathan are fed, and are told to go to the collector's house (irony). There they meet Ammu
300
Describe Ruku's relationship with Kunthi. What does it reflect (according to the packet)?
Ruku's relationship with the Kunthi is antagonistic. Both seem to represent opposite ideals, but they're both in a similar situation. According to the packet, Ruku's rage at Kunthi is misplaced anger at the system
300
Which two characters tell Ruku that "the truth is unpalatable"? Why? What is significant about how the line is used?
A tannery official and Ira; A tannery official tells RUku that she has one less mouth to feed when Raja dies, but the other official cuts him off. Ira uses the line when Ruku says that she feels like they live in separate worlds; Kind of a trick question- according to the packet, could be interpreted in a number of ways (it would be a good essay topic if they picked it). Is it showing Ruku's limitedness? Justifying Ira and the officials actions? Directed at the reader?
400
What is the name of the legalized system of taxed farming?
Zamindarship
400
What happens when Ruku meets Kunthi on the street (at night, returning from Kenny's)?
Kunthi assumes that Ruku is not faithful and threatens her. Ruku attacks her in response in overwhelming rage.
400
What is ironic about Kuti's death?
Happened bc of starvation, but best harvest in years occurred only weeks after.
400
Describe Kenny's perspective and why it is important
He cannot understand why Ruku and her people do not resist or cry out. Reflects the "civilizing mission" many British took on and the flaws in the perspective.
400
Out of the ten books the author published, NIAS was the ____. How did the success of NIAS compare to that of her other books?
first; most successful
500
What college/university did the author attend?
University of Madras (never finished bc WWII)
500
In what order do the following people leave (some in pairs)(bonus: why?)? Ruku Thambi Nathan Murugan Arjun
Arjun and Thambi led a strike at the tannery and got fired, left for Ceylon (Sri Lanka) to ease family burden THEN (okay, like a page after) Murugan leaves to be a servant in the city. Kenny helped him out (also to ease the burden) Ruku and Nathan leave for the city that Murugan (as far as they know ) works in. They must leave because the landowner is selling their land to the tannery.
500
What happens the day before Nathan's death?
Ruku buys Nathan and Puli treats, and buys Puli a toy.
500
What is the difference between Nathan's and Ruku's views on prostitution?
Nathan: traditional, dislike it Ruku: understands it, carries more weight bc she is a narrator It is presented as an economic choice in the novel
500
What poem is the novel based off (title and author)? What is it about? What does it suggest about the book?
"Work without hope" Samuel Coleridge. Centers around a narrator that feels unproductive; narrator watches nature prepare for spring, but does not share this hope. Feels useless, like drawing nectar in a sieve. Poses questions about hope vs. despair (ex. the meaning of RUku's work) (Could also be an interesting essay topic if they picked it)