The Vendor of Sweets Lesson Plan

Do you sympathise with Mali’s dislike of India? Why or why not?

Some students may find Mali unlikeable, and perceive his complaints about India as unfair. After all, he has a loving father, a decent education, and a promising career – how can he spend so much time being angry about the way things are done in India? Other students may be more understanding of Mali's frustration, however. Mali has spent a good deal of time abroad in the United States, and it can be difficult to return to what one perceives as an inferior, unhappier state of affairs. Ultimately, there is no single correct answer.

Why does Mali want to create a story-writing machine? What are his...