Check Your Comprehension
The narrator's trip seems to be going smoothly until something happens to Doss. Describe what happens.
The driver Doss encounters an old man stumbling out of a temple that has long since been abandoned.
What does the narrator say to cause the old man to think about his own situation?
According to his own story he was five hundred years old, proving that the old man had been dead for a long time.
How are peace and quiet finally restored?
When KB tells the narrator about when he returned to the temple.
Critical Thinking
Why does the narrator find Doss's words about the old man unbelievable? A talkative man that couldn't see what he was talking about.
How does the narrator react to Doss's transformation? Nervously and fascinated.
Why is the narrator suspicious of what the oldman says? Give examples. The fact that his voice changed and that he mentioned old things like the monarchy.
(a) Is the narrator the type of person who would be more likely to be ruled by his feelings or by reason? (b) Why? By his feelings, because in all the plot, the narrator used to express what was actually feeling.
(a) Which elements of this story are uniquely Indian? (b) Which are universal? Religion, architecture and the temple. b) the fact that there are people on the streets.
Reading Strategy
Name two elements that are fantastic. The fact that there is a dead person who speaks; that does not update where he is.
(a) At what point does the plot become fantastical? when he sees the ghost and then possesses him.
Literary Focus
Why is this story a fantasy? Because it is something that can’t occur in real life.
What realistic elements of the story make it believable?
The characters and setting.
Build Vocabulary
Brutality: savage physical violence; great cruelty.
Severity: the fact or condition of being severe.
Generosity: the quality of being kind and generous.
Individuality: separate existence.
Sobriety: moderation
Awry: crooked
Literally: actually
Longevity: duration
Imperative: essential
Venture: risk
Build Grammar Skills
Stooped wiped the beads of perspiration off his forehead, and hobbled along towards the temple.
Drove the car smoothly, seldom swore at passers-by, and exhibited perfect judgment.
Dug the earth, burnt every brick, and put them one upon another, all single-handed.
