ERI by Pradeepan Pampirikkunnu_ Comprehension Questions

ERI by Pradeepan Pampirikkunnu 

Readings on Kerala

Readings on Kerala (1A02ENG)

I Semester UG Common Course

Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is Eri?

Eri, the character represents the historically downtrodden people in the Parayan community in Kerala. Eri has an inter-caste identity. He is born to a Parayan father and a Malayan mother. 

1. Who is the narrator of the novel?

The narrator of the story is a research scholar who belongs to the Malaya caste. 

1. Why is the character Eri important for the narrator? 

The recovery of the history of Eri is important to the narrator because he was impressed as a subaltern linguist by the legend of Eri. The narrator had heard stories of Eri from his father. 

1. How did Eri help Raman to find his way home?

Eri applied a medicine from his duppi in his kurya to Raman’s eyes and he was able to see in the dark. 

1. Did Rama Panikar have a good collection of books in his home library as he claimed? Why?  

Rama Panikar had claimed to have a great collection of books. However, the narrator could only find four palm leaf folders. So apparently, it wasn’t a good collection as he claimed. 

1. Why did the father use the phrase “white cloth” to describe Eri according to the narrator?

The father told his son that Eri wears a white dress, indicating purity and cleanliness, which is a symbol of upper caste sensibility. 

1. Describe the mode of teaching practiced by the Ezhuthassanmaar?

Ezhuthassanmaar travelled from one place to another and taught writing. They stayed in a place and taught Amaram (Amarakosham), Kavyam (Manipravalakavyangal), Enjuvadi, etc. to the children there.

1. What did the Antharjanam want from Eri?

Antharjanam requested Eri to use magic to seduce her out of her husband’s house so that she would be excommunicated. 

1. What happened to the Antharjanam?

Her husband, who was sixty, had passed away. She was only twenty years old and wanted to experience more from life. However, as per the tradition of the Brahmin community, she would be forced to live inside the house without any contact with the world outside for the rest of her life. 

1. Why did Eri decline the request of the Antharjanam?

Eri declined the request of the Antharjanam because he believes that it is impossible to live together without love. He said that he lives his life with a sense of justice and God has no role in it. The anguish suffered by the Parayan community is the reality of his home. He asks her forgiveness before leaving her there.

1. Who was Iringal Kanara Panikkar?

Iringal Kanara Panikkar was a skilled manthravadi. He was also a vaidyan who knew the Sanskrit language. He was an expert in podiatry and the treatment of fits.