1. Who was the reigning deity of Bharathipura village?
Answer:
Lord Manjunatha was the reigning deity of Bharathipura village, worshipped by the villagers who believed in his power and were controlled by their belief in the deity.
2. Why did Jagannath want to take the untouchables into the temple?
Answer:
Jagannath believed that the caste system and the myth of divine powers were tools to oppress the untouchables. He wanted to destroy this belief by having the untouchables enter the temple, symbolizing the breaking of barriers.
3. What was the significance of the saligram stone?
Answer:
The saligram stone represented the family’s deity, Lord Narasimha. Jagannath wanted the untouchables to touch it to challenge the traditional religious beliefs that supported caste discrimination.
4. Why were the pariahs hesitant to touch the saligram?
Answer:
The pariahs were afraid because they were conditioned by the village’s superstitions and feared divine punishment. The act of touching the stone was seen as defying deeply ingrained religious norms.
5. How did Jagannath feel during the moment of offering the stone to the pariahs?
Answer:
Jagannath was conflicted, feeling both determined and anxious. He questioned his motives, wondering if his actions were truly for the pariahs or if they were part of his personal rebellion against his own upbringing.
6. What internal conflict did Jagannath face?
Answer:
Jagannath struggled between his rational rejection of religious beliefs and the emotional power these beliefs still held over him. He questioned whether he was doing this for the untouchables or for his own liberation from Brahminism.
7. Why did Jagannath view the situation as absurd?
Answer:
Jagannath realized the irony in his actions: though he saw the saligram as just a stone, his actions and the reactions of the people around him gave it an almost divine significance, making him question the power of rituals.
8. How did the villagers, including Jagannath’s aunt, react to his actions?
Answer:
The villagers, particularly his aunt, were shocked and horrified by his actions. They were deeply attached to the religious significance of the saligram and couldn’t believe someone would desecrate it in such a way.
9. What does the scene of the pariahs touching the stone symbolize?
Answer:
The act of the pariahs touching the stone symbolized a challenge to centuries of caste-based oppression and religious orthodoxy. It was a moment of potential liberation, though it also highlighted the deep-rooted fears and resistance to change.
10. What was Jagannath’s ultimate realization after the pariahs touched the stone?
Answer:
Jagannath realized that both he and the pariahs lost a part of their humanity in the process. The act, though intended to be liberating, felt violent and left him questioning the entire societal system, as well as his role in it.
11. What did Jagannath mean when he said the stone had become a saligram because of his offering?
Answer:
Jagannath meant that the significance of the stone as a divine object was not inherent; it was given meaning by the beliefs and actions of the people. His offering had turned it into a sacred object in the eyes of the pariahs.
12. What emotions did Jagannath experience when the pariahs finally touched the stone?
Answer:
Jagannath experienced a mix of rage, frustration, and disappointment. Though the pariahs eventually touched the stone, the process was filled with fear and hesitation, leaving Jagannath feeling that the moment lacked the transformative power he had hoped for.
13. Why did Jagannath throw the saligram aside after the pariahs touched it?
Answer:
Jagannath, exhausted and disgusted with the violence and tension of the moment, threw the saligram aside. He realized that the action had not brought about the human connection or liberation he had hoped for.
14. What impact did Jagannath’s actions have on his relationship with the pariahs?
Answer:
Jagannath’s actions, though intended to help, ultimately alienated the pariahs. They were afraid and confused by the situation, and Jagannath’s aggressive insistence only deepened their fear rather than liberating them.
15. How did Jagannath’s views on God and religion evolve throughout the chapter?
Answer:
Throughout the chapter, Jagannath’s logical rejection of religion was challenged by the deep emotional and cultural ties he had to it. He was caught between his intellectual rejection of God and the overwhelming presence of religious tradition in his life.
16. What does the setting sun symbolize in the scene?
Answer:
The setting sun symbolizes the end of an era or belief system. As the day fades, it reflects the possible end of traditional practices and the arrival of a new, though uncertain, way of thinking.
17. What role does fear play in the lives of the pariahs?
Answer:
Fear dominates the lives of the pariahs, who are conditioned to believe in the power of the caste system and divine punishment. This fear keeps them subservient and prevents them from questioning or challenging the status quo.
18. What lesson does Jagannath learn about change and violence?
Answer:
Jagannath learns that change, particularly societal change, is inherently violent and unsettling. To bring about true transformation, one must be prepared to confront and endure this violence, both externally and internally.
19. Why does Jagannath compare his aunt’s gaze to a mother watching her son’s cremation?
Answer:
Jagannath feels that his aunt’s gaze reflects deep sorrow and a sense of betrayal. She is witnessing the destruction of traditions and beliefs that have been part of the family and village for centuries, much like a mother mourning the loss of her son.
20. How does the chapter explore the theme of social reform?
Answer:
The chapter explores the difficulty of challenging entrenched social structures like caste and religion. It highlights the emotional and psychological barriers to change, as well as the internal conflicts faced by those who attempt to bring about reform.
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