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READING GUIDE
Discussion
questions
1.
Why does Malladi choose to
open the book by discussing the “day it would happen,” specifically
delineating Devi’s plans for suicide? What tone does this choice
lend to the narrative? Why do you think the author presents Devi’s
decision-making process, instead of opening the book with the
suicide attempt itself?
2. What does
Devi’s list of reasons to live and die indicate about her values and
the problems she faces? Why do you think she commits suicide?
3. Saroj admits
that she often “thinks of leaving her family without warning.” (p.
21) What holds Saroj back, but propels Devi forward? How are the
two women more similar than either of them would like to admit?
4. How is Saroj
traumatized by the discovery of Devi’s almost-lifeless body? How
does she present her role in foiling the suicide attempt as an
accomplishment? Why does Saroj shift the focus to be “all about
her”?
5. What is
Saroj’s attitude toward each of her daughters? How does she project
her own unhappiness upon them? How does each woman deal with the
prospect of failure?
6. The
comparison between Shobha and Devi literally begins at birth. How
does this constant assessment influence each woman’s conception of
herself? How does it color their relationship with one another?
Why does Saroj value Shobha for being “easier”?
7. “Instead
[they] stood as adversaries,” Saroj says of her marriage (p. 38).
Why has her marriage with Avi crumbled? How are other
interfamilial relationships similarly adversarial?
8. How does the
relationship between Saroj and her mother, Vasu, compare with the
rapport Saroj has with her own daughters? Why does Saroj resent her
mother? What is her attitude toward her father?
9. Why does
Devi decide to stop talking? How does this decision mirror the
actions she took as a small child? In which ways does her silence
liberate her, and how does it hold her back?
10. Why doesn’t
Malladi disclose what happened to Avi’s arm at the beginning of the
book? How does his disability inform his behavior and influence his
choices, particularly the decision to come to America?
11. At first,
what about Avi is so endearing to Saroj, and vice versa? How have
they both changed since the early years of her marriage?
12. “Life is so
much fun,” writes Avi in an unsent letter to Devi (p. 106). How has
each character in Serving Crazy with Curry fallen away from
embracing the good things in life? Who comes closest to reclaiming
their sense of joy in the book?
13. Much to her
mother’s dismay, Devi takes over cooking duties from Saroj after she
moves back in. What does the kitchen represent to both mother and
daughter? Why does Devi start to cook? Do you think that she’s
always wanted to? How is it a collaborative process for both mother
and daughter, and how is each proprietary over the act?
14. How is
adjusting to the United States difficult for Saroj? Does Avi feel
the same way? In which ways are their children traditionally
“Indian,” and how do they identify more with their American
contemporaries?
15. Why does
Saroj blame America for all her problems? How does she idealize
India? How does she embrace all things traditional, from the
relationship she wants with her son-in-law to the food she cooks?
16. In which
ways do Shoba’s feminist beliefs belie her feelings about love? How
is she a risk-taker, and in which ways would she prefer to play it
safe? How does Shoba’s firing jar her “perfect world”? What about
this event spurs her to break up her marriage?
17. How is Vasu
a loving woman? In which ways is she selfish, especially in regard
to her family? What does she value the most in life?
18. Vasu refers
to Saroj’s photographs as depicting a “contrived family.” What
comprises Saroj’s vision of a perfect family unit, and how does this
dream differ from reality? How is Vasu’s conception of family more
unconventional , and how has this both strengthened and weakened her
family bonds?
19. How do the
characters in the book identify themselves by what they do, and by
what they have accomplished or stand to accomplish? How do each of
them react when they are at loose ends occupationally? Why doesn’t
Saroj work? Do you think she regrets the decision to not finish her
education?
20. How does
Saroj become a more sympathetic character as the novel unfolds? What
do you learn about her that makes her less of a one-dimensional
“nag,” as Devi classifies her? Why does Saroj confront Avi about
the problems of her marriage? What does this accomplish?
21. Were you
surprised to learn of Devi’s miscarriage? How does her family react
to the news? Do you think she could have told them about it before
she tried to commit suicide? Why or why not?
22. Were you
surprised to learn that the father of Devi’s baby was Girish? What
do you think might have happened if she had carried the baby to
term?
23. Are you
surprised by Shobha’s reaction to Devi’s affair with Girish? Do you
think Shobha’s attitude will change over time, or have the sisters
really breached a chasm in their relationship?
24. Do you
think that Devi will ever tell the rest of her family about her
affair with Girish? In which ways are Shobha and Girish well-suited
for one another? Devi and Girish?
25. How is
writing cathartic for Avi and for Devi? Why does Devi write down
the ingredients of her recipes? Is this just a cookbook journal or
is it more?
26. What do you
think will happen after the story ends, especially in the unfolding
of relationships? Do you think that there’s any chance of a Devi-Girish
pairing? Why or why not? |
