The Guide by R.K.

Narayan
begins en media res: after Rajus first life at the railroad and prison, but before
the beginning of his next life at the temple

What do the first four pages tell us of Raju?

What are the parallels between Rajus first life and his second? between the
setting of his first life and the second?

What are the parallels between the railroad and the river? the differences?

How does Rajus first life as a tourist guide prepare him for his second life as
the new priest of the temple (28-29)?

What schools does Raju attend? characterize each:

(home school, tamarind tree, formal school, jail, the temple)

Why interrupt the story of Velan and his difficult sister with the story of Rajus
education? (juxtaposition)

Chapter two ends with Raju aware that he must decide what he must do after
prison, and he decides to become the new priest of the temple (28-29); how
does this relate to chapter three which follows immediately: his fathers
business?

What might the railroad equivalent of the crocodile be? (play with the image of
the crocodile)

Rosies introduction (55) is also en media res, but note the earlier mention of
Rosie and Marco (7); what is the significance of Rosie and Marco as
characters? the significance of their names?

Raju
as a child
in his parents home
in the hut shop
in school

as an adult
in the city as a hustler / tourist guide Look closely at the parallels here!
in the country as a homeless holy man