Here are some potential questions and answers based on An Astrologer’s Day by R.K. Narayan:

Q1. How does the astrologer attract customers, and what are his methods of predicting the future?
Ans: The astrologer attracts customers by creating an aura of mystery and professionalism. He dresses in a traditional manner, wears a sacred ash on his forehead, and sits under a tamarind tree with his tools—cowrie shells, charts, and a lamp that casts dramatic shadows. Although he lacks real astrological knowledge, he uses his sharp observational skills and intuition to make general statements that seem accurate. He keenly reads his clients’ expressions to refine his predictions, which often surprise and satisfy them.

Q2. Describe the encounter between the astrologer and the stranger.
Ans: The encounter begins when a stranger approaches the astrologer late in the evening and demands an accurate reading. The astrologer becomes uneasy as he recognizes the man from his past. The stranger is skeptical and challenges the astrologer, even threatening him. During the session, the astrologer reveals specific details about the stranger’s life, including a near-fatal attack he had suffered years ago. The astrologer lies, claiming the attacker is dead, which calms the stranger. The dramatic encounter ends with the stranger leaving, convinced of the astrologer’s abilities.

Q3. How does the astrologer’s past influence the events of the story?
Ans: The astrologer’s past plays a crucial role in the story’s twist. Years ago, he had a violent altercation with a man whom he believed he had killed, forcing him to flee his village and adopt a new identity. This past catches up with him when the stranger, who was his presumed victim, unknowingly seeks his services. The astrologer’s fear and guilt shape his responses during the encounter, and he cleverly uses the situation to reassure the stranger that the "attacker" is dead. This incident brings closure to both the stranger and the astrologer.

Q4. What is the significance of the title An Astrologer’s Day?
Ans: The title An Astrologer’s Day is significant as it encapsulates the events of a single, ordinary day in the astrologer’s life that turns out to be extraordinary. It starts with his routine of attending to customers and ends with an unexpected encounter with a man from his past. The day becomes pivotal as it allows the astrologer to confront his guilt and find relief when he learns that his "victim" survived. The title emphasizes the unpredictability of life and the astrologer’s skill in navigating both his profession and personal challenges.

Q5. Discuss the theme of fate in the story.
Ans: Fate is a central theme in An Astrologer’s Day. The astrologer’s life is shaped by an incident in his past that forces him to leave his village and adopt a new identity. His encounter with the stranger, who unknowingly seeks closure about the same incident, highlights the role of fate in bringing their paths together. The astrologer’s profession, which relies on convincing people about destiny and future events, also reflects the power of fate. The story suggests that life is a mix of chance, coincidence, and the consequences of past actions.

Here are additional 5-mark questions and answers based on An Astrologer’s Day:

Q6. How does the author portray the astrologer’s character?
Ans: The astrologer is portrayed as a clever, resourceful, and observant man. Though he lacks genuine astrological knowledge, he compensates with his ability to read people and make convincing predictions. His sharp wit and quick thinking help him navigate difficult situations, such as his encounter with the stranger. Despite his deception, he is shown as a man trying to make a living while dealing with guilt from his past actions. This duality of character adds depth to his personality.

Q7. What role does the setting play in the story?
Ans: The setting of the story—a bustling marketplace under a tamarind tree—adds authenticity and atmosphere. The lively, chaotic environment mirrors the unpredictability of the astrologer’s life. The dim lamp and shadows create a sense of mystery, enhancing the astrologer’s persona. The marketplace also symbolizes the intersection of various lives and stories, setting the stage for the astrologer’s fateful encounter with the stranger. This ordinary location contrasts with the extraordinary events of the day.

Q8. What does the astrologer’s interaction with his wife reveal about his character?
Ans: The astrologer’s interaction with his wife at the end of the story reveals a more personal and humane side of his character. He casually informs her about the incident with the stranger, describing it as a moment of relief. This conversation shows his vulnerability and the weight of guilt he has carried for years. It also highlights his trust in his wife and his desire to share his emotions, making him relatable and multidimensional.

Q9. How does suspense build up in the story?
Ans: Suspense in the story builds gradually. Initially, the astrologer is presented as an ordinary man with a routine life. The tension rises when the stranger arrives and challenges the astrologer, creating a sense of conflict. The astrologer’s unease when he recognizes the stranger adds another layer of mystery. The final revelation that the astrologer was the stranger’s attacker years ago serves as the story’s climax, resolving the suspense in an unexpected and dramatic twist.

Q10. Why does the astrologer tell the stranger that his attacker is dead?
Ans: The astrologer tells the stranger that his attacker is dead to protect himself and give the stranger a sense of closure. Knowing the truth could have led to violence or exposed the astrologer’s past. By lying, the astrologer diffuses the tension and ensures his own safety while allowing the stranger to move on from his anger and obsession with revenge. This lie reflects the astrologer’s quick thinking and his ability to manipulate situations to his advantage.

Q11. What does the story reveal about human nature?
Ans: The story reveals several aspects of human nature, such as the tendency to seek reassurance and closure. The stranger’s visit to the astrologer highlights his lingering anger and need for answers about his past. Similarly, the astrologer’s actions reflect guilt, fear, and the instinct to survive. The story also shows how people can be both deceptive and empathetic, as seen in the astrologer’s ability to lie to protect himself while helping the stranger find peace.

Q12. Explain the role of irony in the story.
Ans: Irony plays a significant role in the story, particularly in the astrologer’s profession. Despite his lack of real knowledge, he convincingly guides people about their futures. The greatest irony lies in his encounter with the stranger: the astrologer, who predicts others’ fates, faces the man whose life he altered in the past. Additionally, the stranger seeks revenge but leaves feeling satisfied, unaware of the truth. This situational irony enhances the story’s depth and impact.

Here are some quotation-based questions and answers from An Astrologer’s Day by R.K. Narayan:

Q13. "He had left his village without any previous thought or plan. If he had continued there, he would have carried on the work of his forefathers – tilling the land, living, marrying, and ripening in his cornfield and ancestral home."

Q: What does this quotation reveal about the astrologer’s past?
Ans: This quotation reveals that the astrologer had an ordinary, rural background and was destined for a simple life as a farmer, following his family’s tradition. However, a significant event in his life—his violent encounter with the stranger—forced him to leave his village abruptly. This shift marked the beginning of his new life as an astrologer, a profession he adopted out of necessity rather than choice. The passage highlights the theme of fate and how unforeseen events can alter one’s destiny.

Q14. "He knew no more of what was going to happen to others than he knew what was going to happen to himself the next minute."

Q: What does this statement suggest about the astrologer’s profession?
Ans: This statement exposes the astrologer’s lack of genuine knowledge or supernatural ability. It emphasizes that his predictions are based on guesswork, intuition, and observation rather than any real astrological insight. The irony here is that despite his ignorance, the astrologer is successful in convincing his clients of his expertise. The line also underscores the unpredictability of life, both for the astrologer and those who seek his guidance.

Q15. "A knife had passed through his chest once, and he was left for dead."

Q: Who is being referred to here, and how is this detail significant to the story?
Ans: This line refers to the stranger who consults the astrologer. It reveals a pivotal moment in the stranger’s life—he survived an attack that left him with a deep sense of anger and a desire for revenge. This detail is significant because it connects the astrologer to the stranger; the astrologer was the one who attacked him in the past. This revelation adds suspense and sets the stage for the story’s dramatic twist.

Q16. "Your village is two days’ journey from here, isn’t it?"

Q: How does this line demonstrate the astrologer’s skills?
Ans: This line shows the astrologer’s ability to deduce personal details about his clients through observation and guesswork. By making general statements and watching the client’s reactions, he appears knowledgeable and perceptive. In this instance, his calculated question convinces the stranger of his authenticity, allowing the astrologer to steer the conversation in his favor. It highlights his cleverness and resourcefulness in his profession.

Q17. "The other man was dazed and speechless."

Q: What is the context of this statement, and what does it reveal about the astrologer’s encounter with the stranger?
Ans: This statement occurs when the astrologer reveals to the stranger that his attacker is "dead." The stranger, who had been seeking revenge for years, is stunned and relieved to hear this. This reaction reveals the astrologer’s clever manipulation of the situation to protect himself while giving the stranger a sense of closure. It also marks a turning point in the story, where the astrologer’s quick thinking resolves a potentially dangerous confrontation.

Q18. "He was as much a stranger to the stars as were his innocent customers."

Q: What does this line imply about the astrologer’s authenticity?
Ans: This line implies that the astrologer lacks any real knowledge of astrology or the stars, making him no more knowledgeable than his clients. It highlights the irony of his profession, where he uses deception and intuition to make a living. The line underscores the theme of appearance versus reality and reflects the astrologer’s resourcefulness in creating a credible façade despite his ignorance.

Q19. "The darkness swallowed him up as the astrologer put his things back into the bag."

Q: How does this line contribute to the story’s conclusion?
Ans: This line symbolizes the closure of the day’s events and the astrologer’s emotional release after his encounter with the stranger. The darkness swallowing the stranger suggests the end of a troubling chapter in the astrologer’s life, as he now believes he is free from his past guilt and fear of retribution. It adds a sense of finality and reflects the theme of escaping one’s past.

Summary of An Astrologer's Day:

An Astrologer’s Day by R.K. Narayan is a short story that captures a day in the life of a street astrologer in a small South Indian town. The astrologer, though lacking genuine astrological knowledge, uses his sharp observational skills and intuition to earn a living by giving seemingly accurate predictions to his clients.

One evening, as he is about to pack up for the day, a stranger approaches him for a consultation. The astrologer becomes uneasy when he recognizes the man as someone from his past. The stranger, unaware of the astrologer's identity, demands an accurate reading and threatens him when dissatisfied. In a dramatic twist, the astrologer reveals shocking details about the stranger's life, including a failed murder attempt that left him for dead.

The stranger, astonished by the accuracy of the reading, is convinced of the astrologer’s abilities. He is also relieved to learn that his "attacker" is dead, a lie the astrologer tells to pacify him. After the stranger leaves, it is revealed that the astrologer himself was the attacker, who believed he had killed the man in a past altercation. The incident had forced the astrologer to flee his village and adopt his current life.

Relieved that his secret is safe and that the stranger does not suspect him, the astrologer goes home to his wife with a lighter heart, reflecting on how fate has shaped his life. The story highlights themes of fate, guilt, and the unexpected ways in which life unfolds.