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1. Why does Desai choose this story as the first? What does it represent?

2. Why are the stories arranged in this order and does it make any sense for the last story to be Scholar and Gypsy?

3. Why do we sympathise with Ravi (and not the other siblings). Why do the other siblings not share our sentiments? (Writer's technique).

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The children escape the heat and stuffy indoors and head outdoors where things are actually much worse. However they are elated because they get to play. The writer creates vivid imagery of how hot, uncomfortable and unforgiving nature is. The children decide to play Hide and Seek and argue a bit. Ravi hides in a garage. He is afraid but intent on winning. The others forget about him and continue to play other games. He wants to be remembered and his victory celebrated. He 'wins' the games but feels worthless and like a 'loser'.

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The days are hot and dry (perhaps the dry monsoon season. Detailed imagery of how hot and dry the garden area is. (Focus on the writer’s description before the children start playing.) Contrast between the limp dog and squirrel to the boisterous energetic children. The sun is setting and although it will start to get cooler, there is not much time to play before it gets too dark. The children were trapped in the house, but outside is actually much hotter and they are restricted by time too.

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Hierarchy - Power and position (within the siblings), (male vs female siblings), Mother vs the children. Losing vs Winning.

Safety vs Fear (The home and the veranda as locations of safety, the outdoors and the shed as places which are frightening. In the game, reaching the veranda without getting caught is the winning move. (Raghu as the danger / predator).

Role of weather / climate / heat in the stories

Disappointment and insignificance.
Winning vs Losing

Childhood vs Adulthood, Children vs Adults

Relationships – love and responsibility, family

Desire / Goals / dreams vs disillusionment / failure / Reality

Rivalry / competition and Struggle

Pride, self-esteem and self-importance

Escape vs Trapped
Class / Wealth

Symbolism

- The shed vs the veranda

- The heat of the day vs the twilight hours

- Nature suffering in the heat

- The 'funeral' game

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The ignominy of being forgotten—how could he face it? He felt his heart go heavy and ache inside him unbearably. He lay down full length on the damp grass, crushing his face into it, no longer crying, silenced by a terrible sense of his insignificance.

“hadn’t much faith in his short legs”

”to be the winner in a circle of older, bigger, luckier children — that would be thrilling beyond imagination”

“He hunched himself into a ball so as not to bump into anything, touch or feel anything.” (Page 5)

“flung himself at the white pillar and bawled, ‘Den! Den! Den!’ “

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Raghu - the oldest brother who has to seek out the others.

Mira - the motherly sister.

Ravi - the main character who hides and is forgotten.

Manu - the small (smallest?) brother who gets caught first.

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Life is hard, especially for the poor in India. Although most of the characters in Games at Twilight are from the 'lower-middle income' group their struggles are apparent.

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H2WOE India s Water Crisis:  A Warning to The WORLD (2)