Question

6.01 Speaking Assignment or Novel Commentary

(when you see this "*" this is me talking to you, besides this I copied and pasted the assignment)

The Book is: Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya

Assignment: Prepare a 3-5 min speaking response (recorded) to discuss the novel ideas below. The total recorded speaking time should be approximately 3-5 minutes.
*Understand that YOU will not need a recording just the script or enough information to make a script*


HINT: Write your answer (about 1-3 paragraphs) and practice speaking ‘off the cuff’ using the information in your paragraphs. You may read your paragraphs but try to sound ‘natural’ instead of ‘scripted’.
*If you can make the script sound natural, if you cannot then I (and anyone else you needs answers) will make the script sound natural.

Tips: *Besides the last tip, make sure you keep track of this*
• Note that some sections may require longer to discuss than others. DO NOT feel like all of your sections have to be the same length.
• Be sure to be clear about any character names, literary techniques, and plot elements you wish to include ahead of time.
• You do not need to tell us when you are moving on from one part of your response to the next. Just move to your next topic.
• Speak clearly, look at the camera and make sure you have practiced multiple times before you record.


Presentation Format: *This format is VERY required*
Start by introducing the topic and the focus of the discussion. (*make sure to mention the THEME*)

Section One - Discuss the main character(s) in the novel. Some topics to think about: What kind of person are they? How do we meet them? What is their relationship with each other? Do they change throughout the novel? As always be sure to use specific moments from the text to support your answer.

Section Two - What is the main theme or idea of the novel? Why did the author write this work? How does the author show this theme or idea in the novel? Is the theme universal? Does it still relate to readers today? What did the author want us to take away from our reading of this work? As always be sure to reference specific moments in the text to support your answer.

Section Three - Choose a scene or two from the novel that you feel are the most important or pivotal to the story. Some topics to think about: Why are these scenes so important to the novel? How do they relate to development of the character(s)? What is their relationship to the overall theme/main idea of the novel? How do they change the course of the novel’s plot? Be sure to make it clear why the scene was chosen.

Conclude by summarizing a few main points and making a final statement.

Also to make this very clear, I do NOT need you to make a recording I NEED you to make a script or at least enough information to make a script.

And lastly to anyone who is going to do the assignment as I asked, thank you truly.

Answer 1

In Kamala Markandaya's novel "Nectar in a Sieve," the central theme revolves around the struggles of rural India in the face of modernization and industrialization. The story follows the life of Rukmani, a young girl who marries a poor farmer and moves to a village in India. Over the course of the novel, we see Rukmani and her family face numerous challenges, including droughts, floods, poverty, and illness.

One of the most striking aspects of the novel is the way it depicts the clash between traditional Indian culture and the forces of modernization. On the one hand, we see the villagers holding onto their traditional ways of life, including their religious beliefs and their reliance on the land for survival. On the other hand, we see the influence of modern technology, such as the construction of a tannery and the introduction of new farming methods. This clash between tradition and modernity creates tension and conflict throughout the novel, as the characters struggle to adapt to the changing world around them.

Another key theme in the novel is the importance of family and community. Rukmani's family and the villagers of her village are depicted as a close-knit community, relying on each other for support and survival. We see this in the way Rukmani's family bands together to survive times of hardship, and in the way the villagers come together to help each other in times of need. This sense of community is contrasted with the isolation and loneliness that Rukmani experiences when she moves to the city, highlighting the importance of human connection in the face of adversity.

Overall, "Nectar in a Sieve" is a powerful and poignant novel that offers a glimpse into the struggles of rural India in the face of modernization. Through the story of Rukmani and her family, we see the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming challenges.