WorksheetsA Real Durwan, Interpreter of Maladies
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 4mins
How comfortable are the residents in the apartment?
Awfully, with most lacking a place to sleep and access to food & water
Decent but poor, living without telephones, own sinks, little food, chipped paint and old furniture
Fairly comfortable, with many owning the basic necessities like wash basins and refrigerators
Very, with highly advanced technology and commodities
Boori Ma was the wealthiest of the residents in the apartment.
True
False
How did Boori Ma's social and economic status affect her life at the apartment?
It weakened her credibility and contributed to her alienation from the other residents.
It gave her greater influence and standing in society.
It led to her being targeted and criticized by workers of a nearby office building.
Who had the greatest influence in the apartment and what is the most likely reason for it?
Mr. Dalal, since he had the best occupation out of most of the residents.
Boori Ma, due to her illustrious background and origins.
Mrs. Dalal, due to her compassion and empathy for the less fortunate of the community.
Mr. Chatterjee, due to his refusal to read about news since Independence.
Why was Boori Ma evicted from the apartment?
She was too good at her job as durwan
Mr. Dalal was upset with her
The communal wash basin was stolen
Boori Ma wanted to leave anyway
What does Boori Ma's eviction reveal about how society responds to conflicts?
Responsibly and with a level-head, considering all the evidence before making a decision.
Irrationally, ignoring any and all evidence and prioritizing personal aims.
Roughly, with the people clinging to the beliefs and opinions of a single person to make crucial changes.
Democratically, with all involved having equal say in the results of a conflict.
How did Boori Ma live while at the apartment?
Extravagently, with a king bed, refrigerator, and telephone.
Modestly, with a twin bed, wash basin, and access to some commodities.
Poorly, with a mattress and newspapers to sleep on, little access to goods.
Well off, with great respect from others and a stable source of income.
What is the point-of-view of the short story?
1st person, Boori Ma describing her life at the apartment complex
3rd person, focus on Mr. Dalal
1st person, Mr. Chatterjee reflecting on the changing times
3rd person, focused on Boori Ma
Throughout the story, what major motifs do we see?
Sacrifice, futility of resisting change
Alienation, class-division
Moral superiority, feminist transformation
Importance of European imperialism
What are the effects of third-person narration of the present in tandem with Boori Ma's reminiscing on the past?
A feeling of believability and trustworthiness
A sense of contrast and uncertainty
A history-book esc reading of an event
A sense of clarity and enlightenment
