"Games at Twilight"

"Games at Twilight" by Anita Desai

Anita Desai was born in Mussoorie, India. She has authored novels, children’s books, and stort stories, including the short story collection from which this story comes, titled Games at Twilight, and Other Stories (1978). Her writing strongly evokes both character and mood through powerful imagery.

Discussion Questions

1. How does the imagery used in the opening paragraphs of the story affect the reader's mood and empathy with the children?
2. What perspective or point of view does the story take? Does it change? What does this enable the narrator to do and/or how does this affect the reader's relationship with the characters?
3. What are the children like? What is their attitude toward play and the game?
4. Ravi is our protagonist. What is his goal or desire? What conflicts or antagonists does he face? How does he compare to the other children?
5. What is Raghu's role and significance? How is he described?
6. What is Mira's role and significance? How is she described?
7. What is the shed like? Why is it significant? What might the shed symbolize?
8. What happens to Ravi in the shed, physically and psychologically? How does this affect Ravi's desire and ability to meet that desire?
9. The story has both an anti-climax and a climax. What are these? How does this develop both dramatic and situational irony?
10. What is the significance of this closing scene (everything after Ravi runs out of the shed)?
11. What are a few reasons Ravi doesn't want to join the children in the new game they're playing?
12. Does Ravi succeed in reaching his goal? How does he respond and/or what does he realize about himself? What does the reader learn in light of this?