Essay Questions

Show how the theme of abuse is explored in Vikas Swarup’s Q&A.

Both physical and sexual abuse are well presented in this work. For instance, Father John is said to sexually molest young boys, a case of sexual abuse that is explicitly brought out in the novel. Additionally, there is also the physical abuse that Ram’s neighbors suffer at the hands of their abusive father. Even though Ram tries to report the issue, he is told it is a private issue so that he should not interfere. In a way, society accepts this kind of mistreatment, a thing the writer discourages through Ram.

Corruption is a major theme in Vikas Swarup’s Q&A. Show how this theme is brought out in the novel.

The concept of corruption is brought out as rather deep-rooted in the society in which this novel is set even among young children. For instance, when playing the game of tag during the war, they would need an Indian general as well as a Pakistani general. Because no one is willing to become the Pakistani general, Salim is coerced into accepting the role because he is Muslim and accepts the bribe in the form of a pack of bubblegum.

Explore poverty as brought out in Vikas Swarup’s Q&A.

In this novel, Ram the protagonist has experienced both the poor as well as the rich kind of lifestyles. Ram has lived in the slums, cheap apartments and even worked as a servant in a diplomat’s and an actress’s house. During the course of his life, he becomes well aware of the abyss that exists between the rich and the poor. In the epilogue of the same work, Ram reflects being told by elders of “never crossing the dividing line that separates the rich from the poor.”