What essay questions could be asked in a test on chapters 1-7 of Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard?

There are clearly any number of questions that you could be asked about the first seven chapters of this great novel. Perhaps one key area that you could look at is the character of Kulfi, Sampath's mother, and how she is characterised and what she represents, as this should enable you to address one of the major themes of the novel, which is fate and destiny.

Kulfi is a character in the novel who is used to represent the idea that there is some kind of purpose or plan in life but that plan is very difficult to discern. Consider, for example, the way that her house is described as being "small for her big desire." Kulfi's desire clearly rules her as a character, and her lack of satisfaction with her present life leads her to constantly expect more and to reject the roles that society forces upon a woman of her position in society. Consider her insatiable hunger during her pregnancy and how she becomes obsessed with food, even going as far as sticking up many pictures of food on her walls "in desperation for another landscape."

As she nears the time of delivery, more and more this is something that can be seen in her character. She doesn't go to the bazaar and gossip and work with other women as was expected, merely choosing to stay in her hut. Her character is used to present the longing for meaning in a life that is made up of a series of mind-numbing and unfulfilling tasks. Reivising the character of Kulfi and her characterisation would be a very good way to prepare for your test. Good luck!

What analytical questions could be asked about chapters 8-16 of Hullabaloo In The Guava Orchard?

One of the key themes in these chapters is the way that Sampath, now that he has lodged himself firmly on the guava tree and has uttered a few phrases that have managed to convince those around him that he is some sort of prophet, changes in the opinion of every character. Some of these changes are good, as in the way that people come to him expecting to see some kind of new prophet, and some of them are more unsavoury, and Sampath's father's exploitation of his son's newfound talent is a perfect example of this. A very good question on these chapters would be to focus on this transformation of Sampath and the opinions and attitudes surrounding him. For example, Chapter Eight makes it perfectly clear that Mr. Chawla is using his son's new position for his own personal gain:

Already there was a change in the way people looked at Sampath: no longer did they snigger and smirk or make sympathetic noises with their tongues. He. Mr. Chawla, must move as quickly as he could to claim these possibilities for his family, possibilities that stretched, he was sure, well beyond his sight's furthest horizon.

For Mr. Chawla, the change in his son's position is greeted with ambitious avarice, as he seeks to exploit this situation to accumulate as much wealth as he possibly can for himself and his family. Interestingly, however, it might be wise to focus on other characters and how their attitudes and responses to Sampath change or are altered. Pinky and Miss Jyotsna would be other great examples to consider.