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25 pages 50 minutes read

R. K. Narayan

The Vendor of Sweets

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1967

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Essay Topics

1.

Do you believe the author is an optimist? Why or why not?

2.

Whose life in the novel do you consider the most successful? Why?

3.

Who do you believe has more useful ideas about India’s society, Mali or Jagan? Why?

4.

What do you think Gandhi would say about Jagan’s claims of spirituality?

5.

Why does Jagan finally withdraw from society, and why does it make him happy?

6.

What role does Grace play in the story?

7.

Why do you think that Nataraj chooses to publish Mali’s prospectus after a few days, rather than publishing Jagan’s manuscript, which has been waiting for years?

8.

It is possible to be spiritual and materialistic? Why or why not? Do you believe the author would agree? Why or why not?

9.

What is the significance of Jagan’s imprisonment after he replaces the Union Jack flag on the bungalow the British Collector?

10.

Was Jagan right to leave Mali in prison? Why or why not? 

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