What is the setting of the story? How is it relevant in terms of
plot/character/theme? The story takes place in Bengal, India, presumably in the early 1900s. This is significant because there are several cultural synonyms, metaphors, and allusions used throughout the story, and a lot of the cultures views and traditions are followed as well. Describe Anupam as a character. In what ways do his character traits contribute to the development of the plot of the story? Anupam is a humble but very meek man. While respectful and obedient as he was raised in such a manner in which doing right always seemed best for him, he seems incapable of opposing his authority figures, his mother and uncle. However, Anupam has a wild imagination, fantasizing and longing for different things in life, particularly the unknown female. Who is the head of Anupams family? How does this help to develop setting and theme? The head of Anupams family is his uncle, his mothers brother, and this develops the theme of family obedience and stereotypical rich Indian culture, as the father is very stingy and looks to be highly respected by all, and he has a firm grasp on all of his nephews doings. Explain the significance of the events with the goldsmith with regards to character. The goldsmith events were significant because it portrayed the theme of distrust and the theme of proving one wrong, as the uncle was wrong about Shambunath Babu stealing his gold. This was also a significant turning point in Babus views of the uncle and their family (though he probably already had seen them as untrustworthy) leading him to then trick the family into eating before the wedding and subsequently calling off the wedding. Why does Shambunath Babu call off the wedding? How does this event relate to a theme of the story?
He calls of the wedding because he does not want to hand his
daughter over to a family who would so boldly accuse him of stealing their gold and a family who would not accept their own unique style of feasting. This event portrays the theme of cultural defiance, especially considering the Indian culture is very strict about marriages, and shows how Babu is noticeably different and how the others react in anger towards his dissimilarities. How does Anupam react to the cancellation of his marriage? Why does it impact him so profoundly? Anupam first wishes for harshness towards Babu, but later he realizes all his anger is rooted in the fact that his wife-to-be was still highly unknown to him. This impacts him heavily because he feels he already had a sort of connection with her, and he wonders if she longs for him too, staring at the picture of him she may or may not still have, for example. What is the mood of Part IV of the story? How does Tagore establish that mood? Part IV sees a shift in setting and time as it is 1 year later. The mood is that of a fairytale almost, as even though time has passed, the simple phrase that Anupam hears entrances him throughout, sending wild thoughts throughout his head again. Tagore set this mood nicely in making it seem like Anupam had moved on but still showing that he is at heart still a dreamer. Briefly describe Kalyani as a character. In what ways are her traits somewhat ironic? Kalyani is a beautiful, free-spirited and outgoing person, not afraid to stand firmly for her views against opposing forces while still quite young. The irony can be seen in her behavior, being able to stand up for herself against the guards as generally a man would be expected to do, and she gave no care for having fun with her siblings, laughing and eating freely in the presence of strangers. Her aberrant personae resemble that of Babu. Explain the significance of the phrase, Theres room here. Why does
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this resonate so strongly with Anupam?
This phrase lit a plethora of emotions within Anupam; considering the fact that Anupam is quite timid but a deep romantic, it is understandable that a voice of such tender quality as explained can lead him to believe fate just might have reunited him with his unknown girl. He too believes this is farfetched, but he cannot deny the intricate beauty he hears in that voice, making him forget all about his supposedly higher class status as he indulges in abysmal contradicting thoughts. Explain the title of the story. To what/whom does it refer? What is its significance? The title Woman Unknown is referring to the ex-fianc Anupam had which captivated him in ways unimaginable for someone he was yet to meet. It is significant because her existence gets poetic thoughts rushing through Anupams head, and not ever getting to really know her shapes Anupam as a person for the better, shedding light on the stereotypical rich Indian life as well. Identify at least TWO literary devices in the short story and be prepared to talk about them in class. Two prominent literary devices in this short story are similes/metaphors/epiphets and allusion.