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Questions and Answers
Who offers to perform an abortion for the narrator?
Who offers to perform an abortion for the narrator?
Why does Olivia not return to Douglas after the hospital?
Why does Olivia not return to Douglas after the hospital?
Where does the narrator decide to go following Olivia's footsteps?
Where does the narrator decide to go following Olivia's footsteps?
Why did the narrator refuse the offer of an abortion?
Why did the narrator refuse the offer of an abortion?
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What led to Olivia fleeing to the palace instead of returning to Douglas?
What led to Olivia fleeing to the palace instead of returning to Douglas?
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Where did the Nawam eventually leave Olivia behind to spend time?
Where did the Nawam eventually leave Olivia behind to spend time?
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What made the narrator choose to stay in India?
What made the narrator choose to stay in India?
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What did the British doctor know about Olivia's miscarriage?
What did the British doctor know about Olivia's miscarriage?
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Who eloped and was never seen again in the story?
Who eloped and was never seen again in the story?
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Which film production company produced the film adaptation of 'Heat and Dust'?
Which film production company produced the film adaptation of 'Heat and Dust'?
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What prestigious award did the novel 'Heat and Dust' by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala win in 1975?
What prestigious award did the novel 'Heat and Dust' by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala win in 1975?
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In what era and setting does the part of the story set in the 1920s take place?
In what era and setting does the part of the story set in the 1920s take place?
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Who was Olivia's husband in the 1920s timeline of the novel 'Heat and Dust'?
Who was Olivia's husband in the 1920s timeline of the novel 'Heat and Dust'?
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What significant change does Olivia make after moving to India with her husband?
What significant change does Olivia make after moving to India with her husband?
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Why does the narrator travel to India in the modern-day setting of the novel 'Heat and Dust'?
Why does the narrator travel to India in the modern-day setting of the novel 'Heat and Dust'?
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In which city does the narrator first arrive in India in the 1970s setting of 'Heat and Dust'?
In which city does the narrator first arrive in India in the 1970s setting of 'Heat and Dust'?
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What is the occupation of the woman who talks to the narrator about India's 'downfall' while staying at a hostel?
What is the occupation of the woman who talks to the narrator about India's 'downfall' while staying at a hostel?
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What is the outcome when the narrator visits Olivia's old house in Satipur?
What is the outcome when the narrator visits Olivia's old house in Satipur?
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What popular literary award did Ruth Prawer Jhabvala win for her novel 'Heat and Dust'?
What popular literary award did Ruth Prawer Jhabvala win for her novel 'Heat and Dust'?
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Who does Olivia meet at the Nawab's palace and bond with over their dislike of British officials?
Who does Olivia meet at the Nawab's palace and bond with over their dislike of British officials?
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What is the name of the mentally ill woman the Nawab is married to?
What is the name of the mentally ill woman the Nawab is married to?
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What method is used to try and exorcise Ritu when her condition worsens?
What method is used to try and exorcise Ritu when her condition worsens?
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What leads Chid to suddenly reject his holy lifestyle and despise everything to do with India?
What leads Chid to suddenly reject his holy lifestyle and despise everything to do with India?
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What annoys the British officials and their wives about the Nawab?
What annoys the British officials and their wives about the Nawab?
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In what location does Olivia start an affair with Inder Dal?
In what location does Olivia start an affair with Inder Dal?
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Who does Olivia want to start a family with?
Who does Olivia want to start a family with?
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What do the people of Satipur think of Chid before his true nature is revealed?
What do the people of Satipur think of Chid before his true nature is revealed?
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What causes Ritu's condition to worsen and leads to the attempt of exorcism?
What causes Ritu's condition to worsen and leads to the attempt of exorcism?
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What surprises Olivia about Sandy, the Nawab's wife?
What surprises Olivia about Sandy, the Nawab's wife?
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Study Notes
Plot Summary of Heat and Dust
- The novel won the Booker Prize in 1975 and takes place within two separate timelines, the 1920s during the British Raj and the 1970s.
- In the 1920s, Olivia moves to India with her husband, Douglas, but feels stifled by the strict British society.
- In the 1970s, an unnamed narrator journeys to India to learn more about Olivia, her grandfather's first wife.
Olivia's Story
- Olivia elopes with the Nawab, the local prince, after being captivated by the pomp and splendor of the palace.
- She meets Harry, a close friend of the Nawab's, and they bond over their dislike of the British officials.
- Olivia becomes fascinated with the Nawab, who seems interested in her.
- She continues to see him in secret, aided by Harry, despite Douglas's disapproval.
The Narrator's Journey
- The narrator travels to India, following in Olivia's footsteps, and stays in a hostel in Bombay.
- She meets Inder Lal and his family, including his wife Ritu, who is mentally unstable.
- The narrator develops a daily routine, dresses in saris, and learns enough Hindi to converse.
- She becomes friends with Inder Lal and his mother, who teaches her about local customs and traditions.
Themes and Events
- The narrator becomes acquainted with a man called Chid, who claims to be on a spiritual journey.
- Ritu's condition worsens, and the family tries to exorcise her, which the narrator disapproves of.
- Maji, the leader of the local group of matronly widows, suggests a pilgrimage to cure Ritu.
- Olivia becomes torn between her husband and the Nawab, and eventually becomes pregnant.
- The narrator refuses an abortion and decides to stay in India, following in Olivia's footsteps.
- Olivia refuses an abortion as well, and she and the Nawab elope, never to be seen again.
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Description
Explore the plot of the Booker Prize-winning novel 'Heat and Dust' by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, which alternates between the 1920s British Raj era and the 1970s. Follow the stories of Olivia and an unnamed narrator as they navigate through different timelines in India.
