Feast of the Dead: Struggles of a Family

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Questions and Answers

What is the name of the water carrier who died?

Dursun Agha

What is the name of the water carrier's wife?

Gulnaz

How many children did Dursun Agha and his wife have?

two

What is the name of the wealthy businessman who lived in the white house?

Raif Effendi Signup and view all the answers

What did the white house send to Gulnaz and her children?

noodles cooked in chicken broth, some meat in a rich sauce, cheese rolls and sweets Signup and view all the answers

What did Gulnaz try to do to make more money?

she would try to earn a few more kurush by cheating, using a can or two more water Signup and view all the answers

Dursun Agha's death was a result of a fall from the fountain.

False Signup and view all the answers

What did the family eat during the days they received food from the neighbors?

A variety of food, including meat and cheese Signup and view all the answers

What did the younger boy ask his mother?

If his brother was going to die Signup and view all the answers

What did the younger boy hope would happen if his brother died?

He hoped that food would come from the white house Signup and view all the answers

Dursun Agha's wife was able to provide enough food for her children after his death by relying on the money she earned from washing clothes.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was it like to live in the house where Raif Effendi lived?

A comfortable lifestyle Signup and view all the answers

Dursun Agha's wife, Gulnaz, was able to provide enough food for her children after his death.

False Signup and view all the answers

What did the older boy do when he saw the bread man on the street?

He stood in front of the white house and did not say anything Signup and view all the answers

What did Gulnaz do after the younger boy said he was hungry?

She decided to go to the store and ask for rice, flour, and potatoes on credit Signup and view all the answers

What did the older boy do when he entered the grocery store?

He pretended to have forgotten his money at home and asked the grocer to write it down, promising to pay him the next day. Signup and view all the answers

The grocer was sympathetic to the boy's situation and agreed to let him take the food on credit.

False Signup and view all the answers

Dursun Agha's wife, Gulnaz, was able to keep her hopes up for a long time after the neighbors stopped sending food.

False Signup and view all the answers

Dursun Agha's wife, Gulnaz, had a hard time adjusting back to cooking simple meals after eating the lavish meals from the neighbors.

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Feast of the Dead

January brought a grimmer atmosphere, as people only worked, avoiding places usually filled with children during summer
Water carriers like Dursun Agha were essential for daily needs, fetching water from fountains
Dursun Agha, a familiar figure, died suddenly from a fall on icy ground
His family, consisting of a wife and two children, faced hardship due to his death, with limited income and uncertain future
The family relied on Dursun's earnings; his wife, Gulnaz, worked to supplement income, though with difficulty
Neighbours demonstrated compassion by providing food to the deceased's family
Initially, generosity brought food; however, this aid eventually ended
The family's struggle to survive and adapt to a significantly reduced food supply led to hardship
Their final desperate attempt was to ask the grocer for supplies on credit, instead of buying, with him accepting their request
The children grew increasingly hungry, leading to fear and exhaustion.
The older son's fear and desperate attempts to obtain food were evident; he hoped the white house would provide for them
The story portrays the hardship of poverty, compassion, tragedy, and the resilience of people in challenging times.

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Description

Explore the poignant narrative of a family grappling with loss and hardship after the sudden death of Dursun Agha, a vital water carrier. The story highlights the challenges faced by his wife Gulnaz and their children as they navigate through food scarcity and reliance on community support. Discover the depth of their struggle and the impact of tragedy on familial bonds.