Questions and Answers
Why does the narrator find it difficult to start writing?
All the attendant problems rose up to confront her.
What natural sound does the narrator hear from the attic while writing?
The sounds of two rats engaged in love talk.
What sound from outside reminds the narrator of danger?
The hooting of the many owl families.
What does the narrator do after bolting the window?
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According to the narrator, what makes writing stories difficult for her?
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What element of the setting indicates that the narrator is afraid?
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How does the narrator describe the hour of the night?
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Why is the subject of caste distinctions avoided by the narrator?
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Study Notes
The Author's Writing Environment
- The author is sitting alone in their writing room, surrounded by silence, with only occasional sounds of rats in the attic and children sleeping in the next room.
- The light from the lamp on the table casts fearful shadows outside, and the hooting of owls sounds like a warning.
The Author's Personality
- The author is a self-confessed coward, especially at night.
Writing Challenges
- The author finds writing stories a difficult task, especially as a woman who values status, prestige, and a sense of being highborn.
- The author faces opposition from various quarters when fictional characters come to life and argue about contemporary issues.
- The author worries about defending themselves against obscene language and opinions that may arise from their writing.
Taboo Subjects
- Caste distinctions are a sensitive topic that must be avoided in writing.
- Religious controversies are also to be avoided at all costs.
The Author's Goal
- The author feels the need to finish writing something today, despite the challenges and obstacles that may arise.
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Description
This passage describes the author's struggle to continue writing despite feeling exhausted. The author is torn between giving in to sleep and persevering with their work.
