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Analyzing Themes in The Raj Quartet

The document contains 13 questions about "The Raj Quartet" by Shashi Tharoor that probe the reader's understanding of characters, tone, imagery, and themes in an excerpt from the novel. Specifically, it asks the reader to analyze the narrator's tone toward different characters, the effects of certain word choices and metaphors, and the irony and implications of key events described in the passage.

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23 views1 page

Analyzing Themes in The Raj Quartet

The document contains 13 questions about "The Raj Quartet" by Shashi Tharoor that probe the reader's understanding of characters, tone, imagery, and themes in an excerpt from the novel. Specifically, it asks the reader to analyze the narrator's tone toward different characters, the effects of certain word choices and metaphors, and the irony and implications of key events described in the passage.

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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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“The Raj Quartet”

~Shashi Tharoor

1. Reread the first paragraph of the story. What is the effect of the following
words or phrases: subtle build-up, carefully planned stories, simulated
editorial outrage, tolerated? What is the narrator indicating?
2. What causes the people’s anger?
3. What is the author’s tone toward Sir Richard? Give clues to support.
4. What is the author’s tone toward Colonel Rudyard? Give clues to support.
5. What is the effect of the repetition of the word “perhaps” in the first paragraph
on page 160 (296)?
6. Reread the last sentence of the same paragraph. What metaphors are used?
What is the effect of the metaphors?
7. What is the narrator’s tone in the paragraph beginning with: There was no
warning… (160)?
8. Why does the narrator disagree with calling the event a massacre?
9. What is the effect of the following use of words:
lined up calmly, routinely, neither disoriented nor threatened, coldly,
clinically…
anguished wails, stampeding of trampling feet, crushed underfoot…?
10. What is your impression of the narrator when he says, “I cannot believe they did;
I prefer not to believe it…” (160/297)? Contrast this to your impression of Rudyard
who says, “Only 84 bullets wasted. Not bad.”
11. According to the narrator, what role did the massacre play in generating Gangaji’s
practice of non-violence?
12. What is the irony in Rudyard’s retirement? What was the effect of the action?
13. What irony does the narrator find in the killing of Rudyard?

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