"Incantations" and Other Stories Lesson Plan

Describe your reaction to the broken English spoken by Mr. Srivastava. Why are his speech patterns represented this way? What does it make you think about him? How does it alter your interpretation of his thoughts about people from other locales?

Most will read the broken English as a sign of hypocrisy on Mr. Srivastava's part, a sign that he holds others to a standard that he cannot meet. However, they should also recognize that it shows the level of domination by the West in the area. Not only does Mr. Srivastava repeat the language of the oppressor, but he repeats their thought patterns as well.

Early in the story, Mr. Srivastava says that he doesn't care about...