Answer TWO of the
following:
Q1: What does the title
“Behind the Beautiful Forevers” refer to (hint: we learn in these chapters).
How is it not only a literal title, but also a metaphorical one? What are the
“beautiful forevers” offered by modern India—and who gets this happy ending?
Q2: Why is there so much
tension between Fatima and Zehrunisa? What kind of relationship do they have,
and how does this lead to the climactic fight which puts Zehrunisa’s family “in
a trap”?
Q3: In Chapter 7 Boo
writes, “The Indian criminal justice system was a market like garbage, Abdul
now understood. Innocence and guilt could be bought and sold like a kilo or
polyurethane bags” (107). Why is this? How can justice and guilt be simply a
matter of bribes or beatings? What is the role of the police force in
Mumbai, according to the book?
Q4: While in prison, Abdul
falls in love with the teachings of a “Master,” who tells him, “Be generous and
noble. Offer up your flesh, agree to be eaten by the eagles of the world, and
justice will come to you in time” (132). This echoes the idea of the Bhagavad
Gita, which tells people to do the work of their caste, no matter how
humble, and suffer the indignities of life for a better birth tomorrow. Do you
feel this is good advice for someone trying to make it in modern India...or is it propaganda by the government to keep
lower class workers in their place?
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