Chapter 19 - Indira Goswami: The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker

Objective Type Questions

For each of the following questions, four alternatives are given for the answer. Only one of them is correct. Choose the correct alternative.

1. Widowhood: Which character best represents the societal pressures faced by widows in the novel?
   (a) Giribala
   (b) Rajlakshmi
   (c) Bimala
   (d) Jamini

2. Individuality: How does the Tusker symbolize liberation and freedom in the story?
   (a) Through its wild and untamed nature
   (b) By offering Giribala a means of escape
   (c) As a symbol of rebellion against tradition
   (d) All of the above

3. Relationships: How does the power dynamic between men and women shift throughout the story?
   (a) Women gradually gain a stronger voice and agency.
   (b) The traditional patriarchal structure remains unshaken
   (c) Men gradually lose their control over women
   (d) The power dynamic fluctuates based on individual relationships.

4. Symbolism: Which object or image symbolizes the burden of tradition in the novel?
   (a) The moth-eaten howdah
   (b) The dusty ancestral home
   (c) The locked doors of the inner chambers
   (d) The endless fields surrounding the village

5. Internal Conflict: Which character faces an internal conflict in their pursuit of individuality?
   (a) Indranath, torn between societal expectations and his love for Giribala
   (b) Jamini, struggling to break free from the confines of her marriage
   (c) Bimala, caught between her loyalty to family and her own desires
   (d) All of the above

6. Giribala: What motivates Giribala’s defiance against societal expectations?
   (a) A deep-seated love for the Tusker
   (b) A yearning for personal freedom and autonomy
   (c) A desire to avenge the injustices faced by other women
   (d) A combination of all of the above

7. Indranath: How does Indranath’s perspective on life and society contrast with Giribala’s?
   (a) He is more traditional and bound by societal norms
   (b) He shares Giribala’s rebellious spirit and desire for change
   (c) He is completely indifferent to the plight of women
   (d) His views evolve throughout the story, influenced by Giribala

8. Bimala: Which event or experience marks a turning point in Bimala’s character development?
   (a) Witnessing Giribala’s interactions with the Tusker
   (b) Her encounter with the traveling theater troupe
   (c) The death of her mother
   (d) Her defiance against her brother’s oppressive behavior

9. Minor Character: Choose a minor character who plays a significant role in the story. How does this character contribute to the plot or thematic development?
   (a) The Brahmin priest, enforcing the religious and social constraints
   (b) The young boy, representing hope and a future free from tradition
   (c) The old woman by the river, symbolizing wisdom and acceptance
   (d) The traveling theater troupe, introducing an alternative viewpoint

10. Imagery: Identify a specific image used in the novel and explain its significance.
    (a) The description of the moth-eaten howdah, signifying decay and the burden of tradition
    (b) The contrast between the lushness of nature and the rigidity of the ancestral home, highlighting the conflict between freedom and societal constraints
    (c) The recurring image of the river, flowing and free, symbolizing the potential for escape and liberation
    (d) The vivid portrayal of the Tusker’s movements, embodying power, wildness, and untamed spirit

11. What is the primary theme of Indira Goswami’s The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker?
    (a) Adventure and Exploration
    (b) Gender inequality and patriarchal norms
    (c) Science and Technology
    (d) Comedy and Satire

12. Who is the protagonist of the novel?
    (a) Mark Saheb
    (b) Giribala
    (c) Latu Goswami
    (d) Indira Goswami

13. What symbolizes the decay of patriarchal structures in the novel?
    (a) A river
    (b) The moth-eaten howdah
    (c) A white saree
    (d) A temple

14. What societal expectation is highlighted through the treatment of widows in the novel?
    (a) Financial independence
    (b) Austerity and mourning
    (c) Educational pursuits
    (d) Artistic expression

15. What does Giribala’s relationship with Mark Saheb symbolize?
    (a) Traditional values
    (b) Conflict between modernity and tradition
    (c) Patriarchal approval
    (d) Economic struggle

16. What does the white saree worn by widows in the novel symbolize?
    (a) Joy and freedom
    (b) Loss of identity and societal restrictions
    (c) Wealth and prosperity
    (d) Professional success

17. What aspect of society is critically portrayed in the novel?
    (a) Technological advancements
    (b) Patriarchal norms and gender roles
    (c) Urban development
    (d) Agricultural practices

18. What does Giribala’s character primarily represent?
    (a) A successful entrepreneur
    (b) A woman’s struggle for identity in a patriarchal society
    (c) A religious leader
    (d) A political figure

19. How is society portrayed in its treatment of Giribala’s husband’s infidelity?
    (a) With severe punishment
    (b) It is tacitly accepted
    (c) He is excommunicated
    (d) He is honored

20. What does the novel suggest about traditional power structures?
    (a) They are unchangeable
    (b) They are strengthening
    (c) They are declining
    (d) They are irrelevant

21. What is Giribala’s ultimate act of defiance?
    (a) Starting a business
    (b) Leaving her village
    (c) Choosing death over a life of humiliation
    (d) Becoming a political leader

22. How does the novel reflect the inner world of an Indian woman?
    (a) As fulfilled and content
    (b) As conflicted and seeking freedom
    (c) As politically active
    (d) As focused on family only

23. What traditional role of women is emphasized in the novel?
    (a) Leaders and decision makers
    (b) Educators and scholars
    (c) Subservient and bound by societal norms
    (d) Entrepreneurs and innovators

24. What does the act of Giribala helping Mark Saheb in his research signify?
    (a) Economic development
    (b) Her intellectual curiosity and defiance of traditional roles
    (c) Her desire to travel
    (d) A love for history

25. What does the burning shed symbolize in Giribala’s tragic end?
    (a) Rebirth and renewal
    (b) The destructive nature of traditional norms
    (c) A celebration of her life
    (d) The strength of the community

26. What does the novel reveal about the status of women in Brahmin society?
    (a) They are revered and respected
    (b) They are equal to men
    (c) They are suppressed and marginalized
    (d) They are financially independent

27. What role does the character of Indranath play in the novel?
    (a) Antagonist
    (b) Comic relief
    (c) The main protagonist
    (d) A supportive character

28. What issue apart from gender inequality is highlighted in the novel?
    (a) Environmental conservation
    (b) Drug addiction
    (c) Political corruption
    (d) Technological advancement

29. How is the sociopolitical scenario of post-independence India portrayed in the novel?
    (a) Optimistic and progressive
    (b) Chaotic and transitional
    (c) Stable and prosperous
    (d) Unchanged and static

30. What does the novel illustrate about the impact of societal norms on personal relationships?
    (a) They enhance personal relationships
    (b) They have no impact on personal relationships
    (c) They complicate and often damage personal relationships
    (d) They are irrelevant to personal relationships

31. How is the Satra depicted in the novel?
    (a) As a place of technological innovation
    (b) As a center of political power
    (c) As a symbol of tradition and conservatism
    (d) As a hub of economic activity

32. What does the character of Durga in the novel symbolize?
    (a) Women’s liberation
    (b) The tragic oppression of widows
    (c) Financial independence
    (d) Political activism

33. What aspect of Brahmin society is critiqued through the character of Shoru Goshani?
    (a) Entrepreneurial spirit
    (b) Educational systems
    (c) Social bandages and regulations
    (d) Technological advancements

34. What is a significant feature of Goswami’s writing style in the novel?
    (a) Use of futuristic themes
    (b) Emphasis on economic theories
    (c) Emotionalism and picturism
    (d) Focus on scientific accuracy

35. What does the novel’s ending with the deaths of key characters symbolize?
    (a) The triumph of traditional values
    (b) The resilience of human spirit
    (c) The downfall of aristocratic families and old norms
    (d) The unchanging nature of society

36. This novel 'The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker' ends with -
    (a) The death of the Tusker
    (b) Giribala's suicide
    (c) Indranath's tragic death
    (d) All of the above

37. What is the pen name of Indira Goswami?
    (a) Mohini Rai Goswami
    (b) Mamoni Raisom Goswami
    (c) Mahi Rahi Goswami
    (d) Memna Raisom Goswami

38. Where was Indira Goswami born?
    (a) Mumbai
    (b) Delhi
    (c) Guwahati
    (d) Gwalior

39. What is the name of the father of Indira Goswami?
    (a) Ramakant Goswami
    (b) Umakant Goswami
    (c) Rajaram Goswami
    (d) Rajesh Goswami

40. Who was the mother of Indira Goswami?
    (a) Radha Devi
    (b) Shobha Devi
    (c) Ambika Devi
    (d) Geeta Devi

41. Indira Goswami belongs to -
    (a) A Vaishnavite Brahmin Family
    (b) A Kshatriya Family
    (c) A Vaishya Family
    (d) Lower family

42. What was the name of the first collection of short stories?
    (a) Monkey Moron - a teacher
    (b) Chinaki Moron - a student
    (c) Pinaki Maron - a Professor
    (d) None of these

43. Indira Goswami received the Sahitya Academy Award for Mamore Dhora Tarowal in -
    (a) 1980
    (b) 1983
    (c) 1987
    (d) 1990

44. In 1983, Indira Goswami received which award?
    (a) Sahitya Akademi Award
    (b) Katha National Award for Literature
    (c) Jnanpith Award
    (d) All of the above

45. Indira Goswami received the Jnanpith Award in -
    (a) 2000
    (b) 2001
    (c) 2002
    (d) 2004

46. Which was the highest civilian award in the state of Assam?
    (a) Asom Ratna
    (b) Wisom Ratna
    (c) Padma Ratna
    (d) Rashmi Ratna

47. The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker is written by -
    (a) Judith Wright
    (b) Indira Goswami
    (c) Patrick White
    (d) Kamala Das

48. The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker was published as Dontal Hatir Une Know a Howdah in -
    (a) 1980
    (b) 1986
    (c) 1990
    (d) 1992

49. This novel 'The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker' was translated into English in -
    (a) 2001
    (b) 2004
    (c) 2006
    (d) 2014

50. In The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker, which dialect is used by the author?
    (a) Rampuri dialect
    (b) Kamrupi dialect
    (c) Russian dialect
    (d) Kanpuria dialect

51. This novel The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker is set in -
    (a) Palasia in Indore
    (b) Palashbari in Karump
    (c) Patankhet
    (d) Bharatpur in Rajasthan

52. Which is the character of The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker?
    (a) Indranath
    (b) Giribala
    (c) Durga
    (d) All of the above

53. Who was the sister of Indranath?
    (a) Durga
    (b) Giribala
    (c) Illimon
    (d) None of these

54. Who was the intelligent character in The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker?
    (a) Indranath
    (b) Durga
    (c) Illimon
    (d) Giribala

55. The novel The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker is a -
    (a) Comic Story
    (b) Tragic Story
    (c) Homible Story
    (d) Mystic Story

56. Who is Saru Gushani in The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker?
    (a) Indranath's aunt
    (b) Durga's aunt
    (c) A Sycophant
    (d) A Servant

57. Who is Durga in The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker?
    (a) Indranath's father's Sister
    (b) Mother of Giribala
    (c) Illimon's sister
    (d) Mother of Saru Gushani

58. Who is Jagannath in The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker?
    (a) The Elephant
    (b) A Lion
    (c) The Dog
    (d) An Ass

...Prev | Next...