Senior VI. English Literature.

Generative Topic 2: Stories of Ourselves?

‘Of White Hairs and Cricket’ by Rohinton Mistry

 CON-TEXT
 About the author: Rohinton Mistry (born 3 July
1952) is an Indian-born Canadian who writes in
English. Mistry is of Indian origin, originally from
Mumbai, and currently resides in Brampton,
Ontario, Canada. He practises Zoroastrianism and
belongs to the Parsi community. Mistry is a
Neustadt International Prize for Literature
laureate (2012).
 Impact on Mistry in the US of 9-11
His publisher issued a statement that said, "As a person of
colour [Mistry] was stopped repeatedly and rudely at each
airport along the way—to the point where the humiliation ...
had become unbearable.”

STUDY GUIDE

After reading the story, complete the following study guide with quotes from the text. Remember
that it is crucial to support your claims with evidence from the text.
What to explore in the story:

1) CENTRAL THEMES.
Find evidence in ‘Of White Hairs and Cricket’ to support that this story is about:
a) Coming to terms with the passing of time
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b) Remorse for one’s childish attitudes

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c) Self-denial
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d) Recognition of finitude
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e) Coming of age
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2) POINT OF VIEW:
 How important is the point of view in this flashback narrative? Which effect does it
create?
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3) ELEMENTS OF PLOT
 Which is the CONFLICT for the boy?
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 Which are PIVOTAL SCENES in the text?
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 Trace the EPIPHANY1 in the story:

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 ENDING: what has the boy discovered?

4) CHARACTERISATION:
Find quotes that characterise
 The boy.

1 It means “manifestation” in Greek. The terma primarily denotes the festival which commemorates the manifestation
of Christ to the ‘Three Wise Men’. Later on, James Joyce (1888- 1941) came to use it as a “sudden spiritual
manifestation”. It is complex and revealing insight of grace as well as intiuitions of immortality.
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Senior VI. English Literature.

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 The father.
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 Mamaiji
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5) SYMBOLS AND MOTIFS

 The cricket match
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 The white hairs
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6) TITLE.
 Make sure you understand its importance. Can you account for the writer’s choice in the title?

7) TONE
 Define the tone and provide quotes that account for your choice:
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