An Astrologer's Day Questions and Answers
An Astrologer's Day
Characterization of the Astrologer in R.K. Narayan's "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...
An Astrologer's Day
"An Astrologer's Day" Analysis and Summary
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...
An Astrologer's Day
The conclusion and irony in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
What is the moral of "An Astrologer's Day" by R.K. Narayan?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
Fate and Chance in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
How does the conversation between the astrologer and his wife impact your opinion of him?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
The suitability of the title "An Astrologer's Day" for Narayan's story
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...
An Astrologer's Day
What does the sentence “He was as much a stranger to the stars as were his innocent customers” from “An Astrologer's...
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...
An Astrologer's Day
Exploring the Characters and Interactions of the Astrologer and Guru Nayak in R.K. Narayan's "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...
An Astrologer's Day
What personal effects did the astrologer use to attract people?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
What is the setting of "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...
An Astrologer's Day
In "An Astrologer's Day," why does the astrologer advise the stranger about his past?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
What does "tangles of human ties" mean in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
How does the astrologer's appearance in "An Astrologer's Day" support his profession?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
Astrologer's Life vs. Expectations and Alternate Path
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...
An Astrologer's Day
What lesson is learned from "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...
An Astrologer's Day
How does the groundnut vendor benefit the astrologer in "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.
An Astrologer's Day
Why did the astrologer run from his village in "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....
An Astrologer's Day
What motivated the protagonist of An Astrologer's Day to become an astrologer?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
What equipment did the astrologer carry in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
Why did the astrologer deserve his wages?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
What is an example of imagery in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
Analysis of the astrologer's labor, wages, and tactics in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
Why did the astrologer pick the spot under the tamarind tree for business?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
What does "It was a bewildering criss cross of light rays and moving shadows" mean and how does it suit the astrologer?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
Alternative endings for "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...
An Astrologer's Day
Description and techniques used in portraying the astrologer in "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....
An Astrologer's Day
What descriptive details visualize the marketplace in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
In "An Astrologer's Day," how does the astrologer notice the man and how does he welcome him?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
When does the astrologer usually start his day's business in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
Why does the astrologer say "the swine has cheated me" despite receiving full payment?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
Should the astrologer in "An Astrologer's Day" be punished for his crime?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
What does the client in "An Astrologer's Day" interpret as the sparkle in the astrologer's eyes?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
Reasons Guru Nayak couldn't recognize the astrologer in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
In "An Astrologer's Day," how can the astrologer's work be deemed 'honest man's labour' if he doesn't truly 'know'...
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...
An Astrologer's Day
What are five specific things the astrologer tells the man in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
Why does the astrologer's wife become happy suddenly, despite his late return?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
What is the effect of the park lights in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
Why does the astrologer in "An Astrologer's Day" wait ten minutes before speaking?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
In "An Astrologer's Day" by R. K. Narayan, what happens as the astrologer prepares to leave?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
How is the astrologer's wife portrayed as innocent in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
The astrologer's belief and revelations about the murder in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
How do Town Hall Park's features benefit the astrologer in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
What mark did Guru Nayak have on his chest in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
How does the astrologer in "An Astrologer's Day" use human psychology to tell fortunes?
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,...
An Astrologer's Day
Aside from his appearance and location, what other skills did the astrologer display that were essential to his...
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...
An Astrologer's Day
What impression do you have of the astrologer in R.K. Narayan's story?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
What is the astrologer's professional equipment and what does a bundle of palmyra show to his clients?
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...
An Astrologer's Day
Personality traits and qualities that make the astrologer successful in "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...
An Astrologer's Day
Astrologer's Tactics to Evade Guru Nayak's Revenge
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...