Fasting, Feasting

Compare and contrast Uma’s condition in India with Melanie’s condition in America. What common pain and suffering do both characters share in spite of their dramatically different cultures? What is unique about each character’s pain and suffering?

Fasting, Feasting is narrated in third-person-limited omniscient, a story structure revealing only the thoughts and perspectives of certain characters. In Desai’s novel, the story shifts from Uma’s perspective in India to Arun’s perspective in Massachusetts. How does this shifting narrative perspective affect our understanding of the novel as a whole? What, in your opinion, was Desai’s purpose in choosing to narrate her novel through Uma and Arun?

Compare and contrast the role of ceremony and ritual as it relates to both the Patton family and Mama and Papa’s family. What rituals are important to both families? How do these ceremonies and rituals help us understand these families and their culture?

Discuss the role of women in the novel, focusing specifically on two to three characters. In what ways are the women treated differently from the men? How are their choices and opportunities different than the choices and opportunities of men?

Uma describes Mira-masi as the one character in the novel “who had won what she desired” (140). In a novel full of characters failing to fulfill their dreams or desires what specific character traits or qualities allow Mira-masi to fulfill her desires?

Discuss the conflict between the individual and society as it relates to a specific character in Fasting, Feasting.

Why is this novel titled Fasting, Feasting? What role do food and diet play in the novel? How do they help us understand specific themes or ideas that are central to the novel?

In Part I, Uma with Mira-masi to an ashram, a Hindu monastery or retreat where pilgrims gather for prayer and meditation. Discuss the significance of this episode as it relates to Uma. How does this episode help to develop Uma’s character and our understanding of religion’s role within the novel as a whole?