Topics for Further Study
- At the start of Nectar in a Sieve, Markandaya includes a quote from Samuel Taylor Coleridge: "Work without hope draws nectar in a sieve, / And hope without an object cannot live." What is the relevance of this quote to the novel as a whole? How does it illuminate the author's themes throughout the book? Reflect on the significance of this quote in your own life and culture.
- Research Hinduism, focusing on traditional gender roles, rituals, attire, cuisine, social customs, and fundamental beliefs. Identify events in the novel that align with Hindu beliefs and practices. How do these events highlight the importance of religion to the characters? In what ways does religion play a crucial role in the story?
- Investigate the history of British colonization in India and India's independence in 1947. Compare and contrast the struggles for independence in India and America against British rule.
- Nectar in a Sieve explores the impact of industrialization on agriculture. Conduct research on India's current economy. What percentage of the population lives in rural villages and works in agriculture versus those in urban areas? Is industry expanding into small towns as depicted in the book? Find information on ongoing conflicts between these economic sectors.
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