Kamala Markandaya’s

NECTAR IN A SIEVE
STUDY GUIDE
*** In addition to each reading assignment, be sure to answer the accompanying study guide questions, which must be
answered (preferably typed), on a separate sheet of paper. Bring your responses with you to class each day. ***

DUE D ATE
Tuesday, 3/3 Chapters 1-13 (pp. 3-77)
Monday, 3/9 Chapters 14-23 (pp. 78-135)
Wednesday, 3/11 Chapters 24-30 (pp. 135-185)

Chapter 1
1. Find at least two examples of foreshadowing in this chapter. Cite each example.

Chapter 2
2. What does Ruku mean when she says, “I think it cost him a good deal to say what he did”(13) ?
3. How does Ruku feel when she is told that her baby is female? Why does she feel this way? What does her reaction
suggest about the status of Indian women at the time?
4. Describe Ruku’s relationship with Kunthi.

Chapter 3
5. Describe Kenny. Why does Ruku keep her visits to him a secret?
6. How many sons will Ruku have by the end of the novel? What are their names?
7. Why is Ruku so worried about putting away rupees for Ira’s dowry?

Chapter 4
8. Read the opening paragraph of this chapter. What does the description of the tannery suggest? What literary devices are
being used?
9. What is a tannery? Look it up if you don’t know.

Chapter 5
10. What do we learn about Kenny in this chapter?

Chapter 6
11. Describe the customs surrounding Ira’s engagement and wedding. What do these customs tell you about Indian culture?
12. Explain the significance of the following line: “What a good match […]. Such a fine boy, such a beautiful girl, too good to
be true”(37). What literary device is being used?

Chapter 7
13. Explain the opening statement from chapter 7: “Nature is like a wild animal that you have trained to work for you.” What
does this description of Nature suggest? What literary device is being used?
14. How does the village and its members change?

Chapter 8
15. Examine the paragraph describing the tannery on page 47 (beginning with “It was a great, sprawling growth, this
tannery”). What does the imagery suggest?

Chapter 9
16. Why does Ira return? How does Nathan view her return?
17. Why does Arjun want to work at the tannery? How does Ruku react and why?

Chapter 10
18. What festival is celebrated in this chapter? Where have we learned about this festival before?
19. What is the purpose of Chapter 10?

Chapter 11
20. How is Ruku’s encounter with Kunthi significant?
21. How does Ira change by the end of this chapter? What brings about this change?
22. Consider Ruku’s comment, “It is true, one gets used to anything” (62) and the paragraph that follows. Do you agree with
Ruku’s comment? Why or why not?

Chapter 12
23. Describe Arjun’s and Thambi’s characters—how are they different from Ruku and Nathan? Cite evidence to support
your response.
24. How could what is happening with the tannery apply to a situation in today’s world?

Chapter 13
25. What natural disaster befalls Ruku and Nathan? How does this hurt them?
26. How does Ruku get some of the money they need?
27. Explain the irony of the chapter.

Chapter 14
28. How does Kunthi blackmail Ruku? Why? Do you agree with Ruku’s decision to give Kunthi rice, or would you have
handled the situation differently? Why?
29. What secret does Nathan reveal to Ruku? What was your reaction to this secret? How does Ruku react? Now that their
secrets are out in the open, how does Ruku and Nathan’s marriage change as a result?
30. How has Kuti changed?

Chapter 15
31. Explain how the verb tense changes on page 89. What does this verb tense shift suggest?
32. Why do the men from the tannery visit Ruku? What do you think is the purpose of this scene? What does it show about
Ruku, the tannery, etc.?

Chapter 16
33. To what does Ruku first give credit for Kuti’s improved health? What is the real reason, and how does it make Ruku feel?
What is Nathan’s reaction?
34. Describe Ruku’s reaction to Kuti’s death. What is your reaction to his death?

Chapter 17
35. What is the tone of the opening line of the chapter?
36. What does this chapter tell us about Nathan’s character? How do you know? Cite a passage as support.

Chapter 18
37. What background information does Ruku learn about Kenny in her visit to him? How does information affect the
reader’s perception of Kenny?
38. What do you think of Ruku’s words, “A woman’s place is with her husband”(106)? What does Kenny think of them?
What would Ira think of them?
39. What has become of Ira? What does Ruku mean when she says, “Had she been barren forever, it would have been
better”(107)?

Chapter 19
40. What is Selvam’s announcement?
41. At the end of this chapter, Kenny and Ruku discuss their differing approaches to suffering and injustice. Summarize each
character’s viewpoint and then find a passage that shows this view. With whose approach do you agree and why?

Chapter 20
42. What is “wrong” with Sacrabani?
43. How does Selvam save Ira’s baby from Kali’s shameful words?
Chapter 21
44. Why does Ruku feel guilt over Old Granny’s death?
45. How long will the hospital’s construction take? What effect does this have on Selvam? Old Granny?

Chapter 22
46. What does Kali believe is the root of most of the country’s troubles? What does this say about Kali, and how is this belief
consistent with her character? Do you agree with her? Why or why not?
47. Explain Ruku’s words, “I wonder whether parents ever know their children as they known one another” (124). What does
she mean? Is this statement accurate? Why or why not?
48. What questions does Sacrabani have for Ira? How does she handle them? What is Nathan’s advice, and what does it
reveal about his character?

Chapter 23
49. What news comes from Murugan?
50. How has Nathan changed? How much time has elapsed since the beginning of the novel?
51. Consider the juxtaposition of major events in the novel, particularly between pages 129 and 130, and earlier, between
pages 77 and 78, and again between pages 100 and 101. As an author, what does Markandaya seem to be doing? In other
words, what effect is she trying to create, or what impact does her narration have on the reader?
52. How has the tannery once again been a curse to Ruku and Nathan? What happens as a result? Re-read the last paragraph
of Part One. How is Ruku’s choice of the word, “accepting,” particularly fitting for her character? In other words, how
does Ruku accept her fate? In what ways does she not?

Chapter 24
53. Describe the writing style Markandaya uses on pages 139-141. How did she use this style earlier in the novel, and what is
the effect?
54. What happens to Ruku and Nathan when they arrive in the city? How does Markandaya build sympathy in the reader for
them? Cite a passage as support, either from this chapter or the next.

Chapter 25
55. Explain the significance of the description of the children on page 152. What literary device(s) is used?
56. What is surprising about the doctor, Murugan’s former employer?

Chapter 26
57. Who is Ammu? What is her reaction to Ruku and Nathan? Why? Is it understandable?

Chapter 27
58. At first, how does Ruku plan on earning money? What challenges does she face?
59. What is the worst condition Ruku and Nathan have had to face thus far in the city? Explain why.
60. Explain what Ruku means when she comments, “There is no limit to the achievements of human courage”(176). How
does this apply to the novel as a whole?

Chapter 28
61. Returning from work one day with Puli, Ruku spends some of their precious money on toys and food treats. How does
she feel as she makes these purchases? Do you feel she was right to buy them? What might buying such things as toys
and treats represent to people in Ruku’s situation? How would you justify buying the toys and treats if you were in her
place?
62. How does the mood change on page 182? Cite the specific line where you think the mood changes.

Chapter 29
63. What does Nathan tell Ruku? What question does he ask her?

Chapter 30
64. Examine Ruku’s last words. How are they significant?
65. How do you feel at the end of the novel? Why?