The Dance of the Eunuchs Questions and Answers: 20 MCQs with Answers
It was hot, so hot, before the eunuchs came
To dance, wide skirts going round and round, cymbals
Richly clashing, and anklets jingling, jingling
Jingling… Beneath the fiery gulmohur, with
Long braids flying, dark eyes flashing, they danced and
They dance, oh, they danced till they bled… There were green
Tattoos on their cheeks, jasmines in their hair, some
Were dark and some were almost fair. Their voices
Were harsh, their songs melancholy; they sang of
Lovers dying and or children left unborn….
Some beat their drums; others beat their sorry breasts
And wailed, and writhed in vacant ecstasy.
TheyWere thin in limbs and dry; like half-burnt logs from
Funeral pyres, a drought and a rottennessWere in each of them.
Even the crows were soSilent on trees, and the children wide-eyed, still;
All were watching these poor creatures’ convulsions
The sky crackled then, thunder came, and lightning
And rain, a meagre rain that smelt of dust in
Attics and the urine of lizards and mice…
Brief Overview of “The Dance of the Eunuchs Questions and Answers”
Kamala Das’s poem “The Dance of the Eunuchs” is a vivid portrayal of marginalized lives of eunuchs and a poignant exploration of their existential despair. Through rich imagery and symbolism, the poet conveys the stark contrast between external vibrancy and internal emptiness. Below is a set of 20 MCQs designed to enhance understanding and appreciation of the poem.
20 MCQs on “The Dance of the Eunuchs”
Theme-Based Questions : The Dance of the Eunuchs Questions and Answers
1. What is the primary theme of the poem?
a) Joy
b) Suffering
c) Hope
d) Revenge
Answer: b) Suffering
2. The eunuchs’ dance symbolizes:
a) Celebration
b) Hidden sorrow
c) Triumph
d) Indifference
Answer: b) Hidden sorrow
3. Which element reflects barrenness in the poem?
a) Rain
b) Anklets
c) Funeral pyres
d) Thunder
Answer: c) Funeral pyres
4. What do the eunuchs’ songs often describe?
a) Victory in battle
b) Lovers dying
c) Joyous celebrations
d) Political themes
Answer: b) Lovers dying
5. The tone of the poem can best be described as:
a) Optimistic
b) Sympathetic
c) Satirical
d) Neutral
Answer: b) Sympathetic
Imagery and Symbolism-Based Questions : The Dance of the Eunuchs Questions and Answers
6. The fiery gulmohur tree symbolizes:
a) Passion
b) Despair
c) Unity
d) Fertility
Answer: b) Despair
7. What does “meagre rain” signify in the poem?
a) Renewal of life
b) Inadequate relief
c) Joyful moments
d) Abundance
Answer: b) Inadequate relief
8. The phrase “half-burnt logs” is a metaphor for:
a) Vibrancy
b) Fragmented lives
c) Determination
d) Eternal hope
Answer: b) Fragmented lives
9. The jingling anklets and clashing cymbals represent:
a) Harmonious unity
b) Superficial joy
c) Political chaos
d) Spiritual peace
Answer: b) Superficial joy
10. The natural imagery in the poem primarily reflects:
a) Hope and growth
b) Decay and desolation
c) Love and romance
d) Strength and determination
Answer: b) Decay and desolation
Structural and Contextual Questions : The Dance of the Eunuchs Questions and Answers
11. What literary device is prevalent in the poem?
a) Hyperbole
b) Alliteration
c) Symbolism
d) Pun
Answer: c) Symbolism
12. Which aspect of the eunuchs is emphasized in the poem?
a) Their physical beauty
b) Their joy and celebration
c) Their emotional and physical suffering
d) Their wealth and power
Answer: c) Their emotional and physical suffering
13. How does Kamala Das create contrast in the poem?
a) By juxtaposing joy and sorrow
b) Through comparisons of wealth and poverty
c) By using political metaphors
d) Through cultural references
Answer: a) By juxtaposing joy and sorrow
14. The eunuchs’ harsh voices suggest:
a) Confidence
b) Vulnerability
c) Authority
d) Celebration
Answer: b) Vulnerability
15. What effect does the free verse structure have on the poem?
a) Creates a rigid rhythm
b) Enhances the chaotic emotions
c) Simplifies the theme
d) Makes it lyrical
Answer: b) Enhances the chaotic emotions
Miscellaneous Questions : The Dance of the Eunuchs Questions and Answers
16. The poem reflects which societal issue?
a) Gender equality
b) Marginalization
c) Economic disparity
d) Cultural conflict
Answer: b) Marginalization
17. What do the “green tattoos” symbolize in the poem?
a) Permanence of identity
b) Religious devotion
c) Superficiality
d) Beauty
Answer: a) Permanence of identity
18. Why are the crows silent in the poem?
a) They are mourning
b) They reflect nature’s stillness
c) They are afraid of the eunuchs
d) They symbolize death
Answer: b) They reflect nature’s stillness
19. Kamala Das uses which literary device to depict the eunuchs’ suffering?
a) Hyperbole
b) Metaphor and symbolism
c) Satire
d) Alliteration
Answer: b) Metaphor and symbolism
20. The phrase “half-burnt logs” is used to describe:
a) The environment
b) The eunuchs’ physical and emotional state
c) The audience’s reaction
d) The festival decorations
Answer: b) The eunuchs’ physical and emotional state
Table: Key Symbolisms and Their Interpretations in “The Dance of the Eunuchs”
Symbol | Description | Interpretation |
---|---|---|
Fiery Gulmohur | Red-flowered tree under which they dance | Symbolizes barrenness and torment |
Meagre Rain | Light rainfall with unpleasant smells | Represents inadequate relief and decay |
Half-Burnt Logs | Eunuchs compared to burnt wood | Reflects incompleteness and lifelessness |
Green Tattoos | Tattoos on the eunuchs’ cheeks | Signify permanence amidst their transient lives |
Anklets and Cymbals | Objects used during the dance | Highlight superficial joy masking deep sorrow |
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