Questions and Answers
What time of day is it when the author is writing?
Nearly midnight
What was the author contemplating as they sat down to write?
How to begin the story
What interrupted the silence around the author?
Sounds of rats and children's snores
Why did the author bolt the window and raise the wick of the lamp?
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What is the author's main concern about writing stories?
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What is the author's nature, according to their own confession?
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What topics does the author feel need to be avoided in writing?
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What does the author imply about their status and prestige?
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Study Notes
The Setting
- The narrator is sitting alone in their writing room at nearly midnight
- The room is quiet, with 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
- The narrator's neighbors are owl families, whose hooting sounds like a warning
The Narrator's Thoughts and Feelings
- The narrator is a coward by nature, especially at night
- They feel anxious about writing, knowing that they must finish today no matter what
- They are concerned about the challenges of writing, especially as a woman who values status, prestige, and being highborn
- The narrator is unsure of how to begin writing and is confronted by various problems
The Challenges of Writing
- Writing stories is not a pleasant task, especially when fictional characters argue about contemporary issues
- The author may face opposition from many quarters and must be prepared to defend themselves
- The narrator is unsure if they can defend themselves against obscene language
- Certain topics, such as caste distinctions and religious controversies, are taboo and must be avoided
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Description
A writer faces the challenge of staying motivated to write despite the obstacles that come with daily life. Will they be able to overcome their struggles and make progress on their story?
