Games at Twilight

by Anita Desai

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Games at Twilight

In "Games at Twilight," major themes include childhood innocence, the quest for identity, and the harsh realities of life. The story explores how children navigate complex emotions and social...

4 educator answers

Games at Twilight

"Games at Twilight" by Anita Desai is set in a large, old house and its surrounding garden in India, capturing the oppressive heat. The centrality revolves around childhood innocence and the harsh...

5 educator answers

Games at Twilight

In "Games at Twilight," Ravi is a sensitive and imaginative young boy who craves recognition but feels overshadowed by his older siblings. Raghu, on the other hand, is the dominant and physically...

5 educator answers

Games at Twilight

Anita Desai's portrayal of childhood in "Games at Twilight" is a mix of innocence, competition, and the harsh realities of growing up. Through the children’s games and interactions, she reveals their...

4 educator answers

Games at Twilight

In "Games at Twilight," child psychology is explored through the perspective of Ravi. This gives us a privileged insight into the mind of a child who wants to be the best and to earn respect from the...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

While hiding in the shed in "Games at Twilight," Ravi initially feels a mix of excitement and fear. He fantasizes about the glory of winning the game and being celebrated by the other children....

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Games at Twilight

Ravi loses the game in "Games at Twilight" without being caught because he hides so well that the other children forget about him. When he finally emerges, he discovers that the game has ended and...

3 educator answers

Games at Twilight

The theme of expectation vs. reality in "Games at Twilight" is highlighted through Ravi's experience during a game of hide-and-seek. Ravi imagines his victory will earn him admiration and respect...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

In the short story "Games at Twilight" by Anita Desai, the narrative point of view begins with third person omniscient and then changes to third person limited. Desai does this to first set the...

2 educator answers

Games at Twilight

At the end of "Games at Twilight," Ravi learns a harsh lesson about his own insignificance. Despite his long hours of hiding, which he thought would secure his victory, he's devastated to find that...

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Games at Twilight

The title "Games at Twilight" is significant as it reflects both the literal and metaphorical aspects of the story. Literally, the children play various games as the day cools into twilight....

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Games at Twilight

In "Games at Twilight," Ravi begins the game with excitement and determination to win, feeling liberated from being cooped up inside. He strategically hides in a shed, feeling triumphant and...

4 educator answers

Games at Twilight

Ravi discovers the harsh reality of insignificance and the fleeting nature of recognition in "Games at Twilight." He realizes that despite his victory in the game, his absence went unnoticed,...

2 educator answers

Games at Twilight

In "Games at Twilight," imagery plays an important role in conveying the atmosphere of the late summer day when the story is set. Desai involves the senses into her descriptions of the waning heat in...

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Games at Twilight

The tone in "Games at Twilight" by Anita Desai varies throughout the story. Initially, it is serious and desperate as the children feel stifled indoors. When they finally go outside, the tone shifts...

2 educator answers

Games at Twilight

Ravi's "sense of insignificance" at the end of "Games at Twilight" is likely to diminish over time. Although he feels deeply disappointed when his victory is unnoticed, this experience is a common...

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Games at Twilight

The irony in "Games at Twilight" is that Ravi hides to win the game and anticipates praise, but when he finally emerges, he discovers that the other children have forgotten him and moved on. Instead...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

In "Games at Twilight," the color white symbolizes both the oppressive heat of India and the lifelessness of Ravi's unfulfilled hopes. White is associated with death in Indian culture, reflected in...

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Games at Twilight

In "Games at Twilight," foreshadowing occurs through vivid imagery and symbolism suggesting loss and death. Examples include the fading daylight, the heat's effect on plants and animals, Ravi's...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

The atmosphere in Anita Desai's short story "Private Tuition by Mr Bose" is one of oppression and virtual strangulation. This mood intensifies throughout the story, leading to feelings of violence...

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Games at Twilight

The setting in terms of a country is not specifically given to readers, but the story does give readers enough information for a reader to confidently assume that the events in the story are not...

2 educator answers

Games at Twilight

Desai describes the children's behavior vividly, using similes and metaphors to convey their explosive energy and chaotic nature. The children burst out "like seeds from a crackling, overripe pod"...

2 educator answers

Games at Twilight

Themes of death and loss in "Games at Twilight" are central as they explore the harsh realities of life and the inevitability of mortality. The story portrays a young boy's realization of his own...

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Games at Twilight

In "Games at Twilight," Ravi is the protagonist, while Raghu serves as the antagonist, embodying the cruelty of childhood. The story is set in India, post-independence, at a family home with a yard,...

2 educator answers

Games at Twilight

In the short story "Games at Twilight" by Anita Desai, the shapes that Ravi dimly sees in the dark when he hides in the shed during a game of hide-and-seek are of stored household items. These...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

The climax of "Games at Twilight" is when Ravi emerges from his hiding spot, claiming victory. The denouement occurs as the other children ignore Ravi's win, moving on to another game, leaving him...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

Games at Twilight reveals a large, affluent family living in a spacious home with several siblings and cousins. The children are eager to play outside but are restrained by their protective mother...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

In "Games at Twilight," Anita Desai uses colors to symbolize emotions and themes. Bright colors represent the children's initial joy and excitement, while the darkening colors of twilight reflect the...

2 educator answers

Games at Twilight

Mira in "Games at Twilight" is portrayed as a motherly and authoritative figure among the children. She takes charge by organizing their games and maintaining order, often intervening in disputes and...

2 educator answers

Games at Twilight

Desai evokes sympathy for Ravi by highlighting his voicelessness and marginalization among his peers, themes that resonate universally. Ravi's struggle for acknowledgment and victory in the...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

Suspense in "Games at Twilight" builds interest by immersing readers in a familiar childhood game of hide-and-seek, where the protagonist, Ravi, hides from the intimidating seeker, Raghu. The...

2 educator answers

Games at Twilight

Desai orders the events within "Games at Twilight" primarily in chronological order. After Ravi emerges from his hiding place, she explains the chronology of what the other children had been doing in...

2 educator answers

Games at Twilight

The children's games in "Games at Twilight" are portrayed realistically, capturing the energy and dynamics typical of young children. Initially, they are restless from being indoors, akin to many...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

In "Games at Twilight," Ravi is both a round and dynamic character, while Mira and Raghu are round characters only. Ravi's thoughts and experiences are clearly defined, and he learns a lesson. The...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

The garden in "Games at Twilight" is depicted as hot and dry, reflecting the oppressive weather. It features a big white wall with a colorful bougainvillea vine and colorful stones and walkways...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

The children's rhyming game in "Games at Twilight" determines who is "it" through an implicit understanding among the children. Mira organizes them into a circle and initiates the game without...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

At the start of "Games at Twilight," the children are restless and eager to escape the confines of their house due to the oppressive heat outside. Their mother, overwhelmed by their energy and noise,...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

Ravi describes Raghu's legs as long, powerful, and hairy, likening them to those of a good footballer. This description highlights Raghu's athletic ability and speed, contrasting sharply with Ravi's...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

Raghu triumphed over the other players by using his physical strength, agility, and height to find them quickly in "Games at Twilight." His "footballer" legs allowed him to outrun others and spot...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

In "Games at Twilight," the children's interactions can be analyzed through a social theory perspective, highlighting themes of competition, hierarchy, and the quest for recognition. Their play...

4 educator answers

Games at Twilight

In "Games at Twilight," lines that suggest the children forgot Ravi include "They had quite forgotten him" and "All this time no one had remembered Ravi. Having disappeared from the scene, he had...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

Ravi is angry when they start a new game because he feels insignificant and overlooked. During hide-and-seek, he hides in a shed and is initially excited about possibly winning. However, when he...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

The children stop searching for Ravi because he is younger and not fully integrated into their peer group, making him an afterthought. Their focus shifts to an intense argument over who will be "It"...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

Ravi anticipates that winning the hide-and-seek game will be an exhilarating and unparalleled experience, as he imagines himself as a conquering hero among older, bigger children. He perceives...

3 educator answers

Games at Twilight

Ravi's decision to stay hidden for too long during a game results in the other children forgetting about him, leading them to dismiss his claim of victory. They assume he's cheating or being...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

The children are so eager to play outside that they feel like they will choke if they do not get outside. The children are so hot, that the heat of the outdoors is more desirable than being cooped...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

"Games at Twilight" is likely set outside the United States, probably in India, as indicated by several cultural and environmental details. The characters wear saris, a traditional Indian garment,...

2 educator answers

Games at Twilight

Anita Desai develops Ravi's character in "Games at Twilight" through direct and indirect characterization. Directly, Desai describes Ravi's physical attributes and thoughts, such as his short legs...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

The phrase "burst like seeds" in "Games at Twilight" describes the children's explosive energy and speed as they rush outside after being confined indoors. This simile likens their release to the...

1 educator answer

Games at Twilight

Ravi's decision to stay in the shed demonstrates his bravery, determination, and desire to win. Despite the shed's unfamiliarity, darkness, and eerie atmosphere, Ravi overcomes his fear, showing...

1 educator answer