Nectar

Chapters 1-5
1. What does Rukmani see decorating the entrance to her new home when she first arrives with Nathan? What might the condition represent, or symbolize?
2. How does Rukmani feel whenshe 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?
3. Who is Kennington? What is the relationship betweenRukmani and Kennington?
Chapter 6-13
4. Contrast Rukmani’s response to the coming of the tannery with that of the other women in the village. Who do you think is right? Why?
5. Why do Arjun andThambi go to work in Ceylon? What does their decision say about them? How do Rukmani’s feelings contrast with those of her sons?
Chapter 14-23
6. What secrets do Nathan and Rukmani tell to eachother? What does their willingness to confess suggest about their relationship?
7. How does Raja meet his death? Why do the men from the tannery visit Rukmani a few days later? In your opinion, whatis the purpose of this scene in the novel?
8. To what does Rukmani first give credit for Kuti’s better health? What is the real reason and how does it make Rukmani feel?
9. Ira is very unhappyafter she tries to answer her son’s difficult questions about his birth. What does Nathan say to Rukmani about comforting Ira? What do you think he means by this advice?
Chapter 24-30
10. In whatway, is the journey a metaphor of the lives of Nathan and Rukmani? How do aspects of this journey reflect the lives of the two characters?
11. To what activity does Rukmani first turn in order toearn money in the city? What is ironic, or unexpected, about this choice?
12. Several times in this section, Rukmani refers to the stone god and goddess in the temple where she and Nathan arestaying. What might the author be saying about the role of religion in the characters’ lives?
After Reading the Novel
13. Create a character map of Rukmani’s family. Include all characters who are...