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An Astrologer's Day

by R. K. Narayan

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An Astrologer's Day

The astrologer in R.K. Narayan's "An Astrologer's Day" is depicted as a shrewd and observant man who uses his keen understanding of human nature to make accurate predictions. He relies more on his...

10 educator answers

An Astrologer's Day

R.K. Narayan's "An Astrologer's Day" is a compelling short story about survival and deception. It centers on an astrologer in a bustling Indian town who uses observation and cleverness to convince...

4 educator answers

An Astrologer's Day

The conclusion of "An Astrologer's Day" reveals the irony that the astrologer, who appears to possess mystical knowledge, is merely a man using his shrewd observational skills. The ultimate irony...

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An Astrologer's Day

The moral of "An Astrologer's Day" by R.K. Narayan revolves around the value of relying on one's own wit and practical knowledge over trusting in pseudo-sciences like astrology. The protagonist, an...

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An Astrologer's Day

In R.K. Narayan's "An Astrologer's Day," fate and chance intricately shape the narrative, leading to unexpected resolutions for the characters. The astrologer, who fled his village believing he had...

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An Astrologer's Day

The conversation between the astrologer and his wife reveals his humanity and simplicity, showing his pleasure in providing for his family despite his deceptive profession. This interaction, coupled...

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An Astrologer's Day

The title "An Astrologer's Day" is suitable for Narayan's story as it encapsulates a significant day in the life of the astrologer. This day not only highlights his daily routine but also brings an...

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An Astrologer's Day

In “An Astrologer's Day,” the sentence “He was as much a stranger to the stars as were his innocent customers” uncovers the protagonist’s real identity as a con artist. In other words, he is not an...

1 educator answer

An Astrologer's Day

In R.K. Narayan's "An Astrologer's Day," the astrologer is a street vendor who pretends to have mystical knowledge, while Guru Nayak is a skeptical client seeking answers about his past. Their...

6 educator answers

An Astrologer's Day

The astrologer used personal effects such as professional equipment, a holy man's attire, and specific physical attributes like holy ash, vermillion, and a turban to attract people. He meticulously...

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An Astrologer's Day

The setting of "An Astrologer's Day" is a bustling, tree-lined area in the Town Hall Park of an Indian city, possibly the fictional town of Malgudi. The story depicts a vibrant marketplace filled...

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An Astrologer's Day

In "An Astrologer's Day" by R. K. Narayan, the astrologer gives the specific advice about his client's past because he recognizes him. He is not a stranger but rather a man he tried to kill when he...

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An Astrologer's Day

"Tangles of human ties" in "An Astrologer's Day" refers to the complex and often problematic relationships between people. The astrologer, with his deep understanding of human troubles, recognizes...

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An Astrologer's Day

The astrologer in “An Astrologer’s Day” looks like a wise old soothsayer. Physical features of his appearance—like his painted forehead, gleaming eyes, and long beard—help him in his profession. They...

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An Astrologer's Day

In R.K. Narayan's "An Astrologer's Day," the protagonist's life diverges significantly from his expectations. Originally, he fled his village believing he had committed murder, abandoning a life of...

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An Astrologer's Day

The lesson from "An Astrologer's Day" is that hidden talents can emerge under changed circumstances. The astrologer, originally a peasant, had to flee his village and adapt to city life. Despite...

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An Astrologer's Day

The presence of the groundnut vendor is beneficial to the astrologer because it brings him extra business. Many of the customers who come to buy his wares also hang around the astrologer.

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An Astrologer's Day

The astrologer ran from his village because he believed he had killed a man in a quarrel. He felt a great burden lifted when he discovered the man was alive during a chance encounter years later....

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An Astrologer's Day

The protagonist in "An Astrologer's Day" became an astrologer primarily out of necessity to support himself and his family. He stumbled upon the profession by acquiring second-hand equipment and...

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An Astrologer's Day

In "An Astrologer's Day," the astrologer's equipment includes a dozen cowrie shells, a square piece of cloth with mystic charts, a notebook, and a bundle of palmyra writing. He also paints his...

1 educator answer

An Astrologer's Day

The astrologer deserves his wages because, despite not being a legitimate astrologer, he provides valuable advice through "study, practice, and shrewd guesswork." His understanding of people's common...

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An Astrologer's Day

An example of imagery in "An Astrologer's Day" is the description of the astrologer's stall in the marketplace. The setting is depicted with vivid sensory details, such as the flare's light crackling...

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An Astrologer's Day

In "An Astrologer's Day," the astrologer earns his living by exploiting people's superstitions and fears. His wages vary, but he skillfully uses psychological tactics, such as keen observation and...

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An Astrologer's Day

The astrologer chose the spot under the tamarind tree for its strategic location, which attracted heavy foot traffic and provided shade. The spot, near the Town Hall Park, allowed him to work late to...

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An Astrologer's Day

The phrase "It was a bewildering criss-cross of light rays and moving shadows" describes the dim and irregular lighting that prevents Guru Nayak from recognizing the astrologer as the man who once...

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An Astrologer's Day

Potential alternative endings for "An Astrologer's Day" could include the astrologer revealing his true identity and past to Guru Nayak, leading to a confrontation or reconciliation. Another ending...

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An Astrologer's Day

In "An Astrologer's Day," the astrologer is depicted as a clever, perceptive individual who uses his keen observation skills and psychological insight rather than actual astrological knowledge....

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An Astrologer's Day

The marketplace in "An Astrologer's Day" by R.K. Narayan is vividly depicted with colorful and bustling details. The astrologer stands out with his "saffron-colored turban," attracting customers like...

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An Astrologer's Day

In "An Astrologer's Day," the astrologer notices the man when a green shaft of light is blotted out, causing him to look up and see the man standing before him. Sensing a potential client, the...

1 educator answer

An Astrologer's Day

The astrologer usually starts his day's business at midday. He is punctual, beginning his work at noon under the tamarind tree in Town Hall Park, where he sets up his professional tools. This timing...

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An Astrologer's Day

The astrologer says "the swine has cheated me" because he received only twelve and a half annas instead of the agreed-upon one rupee. Despite successfully convincing Guru Nayak of his psychic powers...

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An Astrologer's Day

The astrologer in "An Astrologer's Day" arguably should not be punished for his past crime, as he has already suffered significantly. He has lived in exile, away from his family, and endured years of...

1 educator answer

An Astrologer's Day

The clients of the astrologer take the sparkle in his eyes for a prophetic light, which makes them feel comfortable. In actual fact, his eyes are sparkling because he's on the lookout for new...

1 educator answer

An Astrologer's Day

Guru Nayak couldn't recognize the astrologer because it was nighttime, and the astrologer had altered his appearance since their last encounter. Additionally, their previous meeting occurred under...

1 educator answer

An Astrologer's Day

The astrologer's work in "An Astrologer's Day" is considered "honest man's labour" because he effectively listens to his clients and offers advice that satisfies them, despite not truly knowing...

2 educator answers

An Astrologer's Day

First, he tells the man that he was attacked and left for dead some time earlier. Second, he tells him that a passerby saved his life. Third, he reveals that he knows his client's name. Fourth, he...

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An Astrologer's Day

The astrologer's wife becomes happy despite his late return because he arrives with extra money he earned from an unusual encounter with a customer. Initially angry due to his delay, her mood shifts...

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An Astrologer's Day

The park lights in "An Astrologer's Day" create a dim, irregularly lit setting that conceals identities, crucially affecting the plot. This poor lighting prevents Guru Nayak from recognizing the...

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An Astrologer's Day

In "An Astrologer's Day" by R. K. Narayan, the astrologer never opens his mouth until the other has spoken for at least ten minutes because he does not really know anything about astrology. He needs...

1 educator answer

An Astrologer's Day

As the astrologer prepares to leave, he is forced to stop working because he lacks his own lighting and relies on a nearby groundnut vendor's light. When the vendor closes, the astrologer prepares to...

1 educator answer

An Astrologer's Day

In "An Astrologer's Day," the astrologer's wife is innocent in that she is blissfully unaware of her husband's delinquent past. Until the astrologer tells her towards the end of the story, she...

1 educator answer

An Astrologer's Day

In "An Astrologer's Day," the astrologer believes that he has successfully tricked a client into thinking he has profound insights about a murder. His revelations about the murder are actually based...

2 educator answers

An Astrologer's Day

The remarkable features of Town Hall Park benefit the astrologer in "An Astrologer's Day" by providing a narrow road along which a surging crowd moves from morning till night, potentially giving the...

1 educator answer

An Astrologer's Day

Guru Nayak has a stab scar on his chest in "An Astrologer's Day." The astrologer, who recognizes Nayak from their past, accurately predicts this injury, convincing Nayak of his fortune-telling...

1 educator answer

An Astrologer's Day

The astrologer in "An Astrologer's Day" uses human psychology to tell fortunes by relying on his keen observational skills and experience with human nature. He listens carefully to his clients,...

1 educator answer

An Astrologer's Day

Aside from his appearance and location, the astrologer in R.K. Narayan's "An Astrologer's Day" displays keen observation skills, practical knowledge of common issues, and a deep understanding of...

1 educator answer

An Astrologer's Day

The astrologer in R.K. Narayan's story is portrayed as resourceful, quick-witted, and charismatic. He skillfully charms his customers by flattering them and never insulting them, thereby earning a...

3 educator answers

An Astrologer's Day

The astrologer's professional equipment serves as "silent advertising," suggesting he has esoteric knowledge to attract clients. This includes a bundle of palmyra leaves, which symbolize astrological...

1 educator answer

An Astrologer's Day

The astrologer's success in "An Astrologer's Day" is attributed to his keen observation skills, persuasive speech, and deep understanding of human nature. His ability to read people, combined with...

2 educator answers

An Astrologer's Day

In R.K. Narayan's "An Astrologer's Day," the astrologer avoids Guru Nayak's revenge by deceiving him. Guru Nayak seeks the identity of his attacker, unaware it's the astrologer himself. The...

2 educator answers