1. How does Vikram Seth describe his room in Kathmandu? Why does he feel the need to sleep for hours upon arrival?
Answer: Seth describes his room as cheap and located in the center of town. He feels exhausted from his journey, so he sleeps for hours to recover from the fatigue.
2. What is the significance of the Pashupatinath temple in the chapter? Describe the scene there.
Answer: The Pashupatinath temple is one of the most sacred places for Hindus. The scene at the temple is chaotic, with priests, hawkers, animals, and worshippers all mixing together. There is a sense of confusion and crowdedness, with people pushing to get the priest’s attention and a variety of life forms around.
3. What are some of the elements of confusion at the Pashupatinath temple?
Answer: The confusion at the temple is caused by the presence of priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, animals, and a large crowd of worshippers. People are pushing, elbowing, and trying to get to the front of the temple, creating a chaotic atmosphere.
4. What is the significance of the saffron-clad Westerners at the Pashupatinath temple? How do they attempt to enter the temple?
Answer: The saffron-clad Westerners are trying to enter the temple, but the policeman doubts their identity as Hindus since only Hindus are allowed to enter. This leads to a confrontation as they struggle to gain entry.
5. How does the scene at the riverbank of the holy Bagmati River contrast with the temple experience at Pashupatinath?
Answer: The scene at the Bagmati River is more serene and natural. A corpse is being cremated, and washerwomen work while children bathe in the river. In contrast, the temple is chaotic and busy with worshippers and tourists.
6. What is the role of the small shrine near the river in the story?
Answer: The small shrine by the river is symbolic. It is believed that when the shrine emerges fully from the stone platform, the goddess inside will escape, marking the end of the evil period of Kaliyug on earth.
7. How does Vikram Seth contrast the Pashupatinath temple with the Baudhnath stupa?
Answer: Seth contrasts the two places by describing Pashupatinath as chaotic and filled with confusion, while Baudhnath is peaceful and still, with a sense of quietness, offering a stark contrast to the activity at the temple.
8. Describe the atmosphere around the Baudhnath stupa. How does it differ from the Pashupatinath temple?
Answer: The Baudhnath stupa has a calm, serene atmosphere. It is less crowded, with small shops around it, and is a place of stillness compared to the chaotic, overcrowded Pashupatinath temple.
9. What kind of shops and goods does Seth observe around the Baudhnath stupa? How do they contribute to the scene’s atmosphere?
Answer: Around the Baudhnath stupa, Seth observes shops selling goods like Tibetan prints, felt bags, silver jewelry, and religious items. These contribute to the quiet, commercial atmosphere that contrasts with the bustling Pashupatinath temple.
10. What is Seth’s attitude towards the chaos and commercialism in Kathmandu?
Answer: Seth seems to acknowledge the chaos and commercialism in Kathmandu but appears to indulge in it at times, such as buying marzipan and street food. He seems to be somewhat detached and amused by it, yet aware of the contrast it offers.
11. What are some of the sounds and activities Seth hears and sees while walking around Kathmandu?
Answer: Seth hears car horns, bicycle bells, and the sounds of hawkers shouting their wares. He also observes stray cows lowing at motorcycles and vendors selling various goods.
12. What does Seth buy while he is in Kathmandu, and what is his attitude toward these purchases?
Answer: Seth buys a bar of marzipan, a corn-on-the-cob, love story comics, and a Reader’s Digest. He seems to buy these items mindlessly, as a way of indulging himself and feeling better in the moment.
13. What is Seth’s emotional state during his time in Kathmandu, and how does it influence his actions?
Answer: Seth feels exhausted and homesick, which influences his decision to cut his journey short and fly home instead of continuing his travels through India.
14. How does the flute seller in Kathmandu capture Seth’s attention?
Answer: The flute seller stands in a corner, playing his bamboo flutes meditatively. Seth is drawn to the music, and the seller’s calm demeanor amidst the chaos of the street intrigues him.
15. How does the flute seller in the story conduct his business?
Answer: The flute seller plays his flutes slowly and thoughtfully, without shouting out his wares. His approach to selling is casual and offhanded, and he occasionally stops to converse with other street vendors.
16. What does Seth reflect upon when listening to the flute music?
Answer: Seth reflects on how the flute, in its various forms across cultures, is a universal instrument that connects all of humanity through music. The sound of the flute seems to evoke a deep, emotional connection for him.
17. Why is the flute music significant to Seth in this moment of his journey?
Answer: The flute music affects Seth deeply, and he is surprised by how emotional he becomes. He realizes that he has begun to appreciate small details and sounds more than he has in the past, perhaps due to his long absence from home.
18. What cultural significance does the flute hold, according to Seth?
Answer: According to Seth, the flute is a universal instrument found in all cultures. It has different forms, such as the bansuri in India, the shakuhachi in Japan, and the recorder in Western cultures. It represents a common human experience through music.
19. What does Seth mean by “invested with the significance” in relation to his experience with the flute music?
Answer: Seth means that he is assigning greater emotional importance to the flute music than he would have in the past. He is becoming more attuned to the details around him, which is surprising given his previous indifference during his travels.
20. How does Seth describe the atmosphere of Kathmandu overall?
Answer: Seth describes Kathmandu as vivid, mercenary, and religious. The streets are crowded with small shrines, hawkers, fruit sellers, and vendors selling a variety of goods, contributing to the lively and busy atmosphere of the city.
21. What kind of food does Seth indulge in during his time in Kathmandu?
Answer: Seth indulges in street food such as marzipan, corn-on-the-cob roasted with salt, chili powder, and lemon, and he drinks Coca-Cola and an orange drink, which he finds nauseating but still refreshing in the moment.
22. Why does Seth feel the need to return home, and how does this affect his plans?
Answer: Seth feels exhausted and homesick, leading him to decide to return home. This makes him cancel his planned journey through India and opt for a direct flight back to his home instead.
23. What does Seth observe about the flute seller’s approach to his work?
Answer: The flute seller is calm and plays his instrument without trying to attract attention or aggressively sell his wares. His method of selling is laid-back, and he interacts with other vendors casually.
24. How does the flute music contrast with the noise and chaos around Seth in Kathmandu?
Answer: The flute music stands in stark contrast to the noisy, chaotic environment of Kathmandu. While the streets are filled with car horns, vendor cries, and other noises, the flute music provides a moment of calm and introspection for Seth.
25. Why is the flute music so emotionally significant to Seth at this point in his journey?
Answer: The flute music touches Seth deeply because it reminds him of the common humanity shared across cultures. It brings him closer to the universal experience of music, evoking emotions that he had not felt strongly in the past during his travels.
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