Shame Essay Questions

What is the significance of the novel's title?

The novel's title refers to all of the conflicts that are rooted in shame. Sufiya is possessed by a beast that represents the shame that she takes on from others. Various female characters have their reputations ruined as the result of acts that are viewed as shameful. The narrator goes so far as to say that every historical conflict can be summarized as the shameless versus the shameful. The novel is titled Shame because it is the emotion that sets all of its conflicts into motion.

What quality does Omar represent in the novel?

Omar represents shamelessness in the novel. Before he leaves home, his mothers tells him to never feel shame. They say it is a harmful emotion that they have not let themselves be governed by. As a result, he lives a hedonistic life, becoming involved with women, staying out late, and generally engaging in constant debauchery. He shows no guilt for his mistreatment of other people and is unconcerned with loyalty. He constantly acts in his own self-interest. For all of these reasons, he is a perfect example of shamelessness in the context of the novel.

What kind of narrative voice does the novel have?

The novel employs a very active narrative voice that frequently offers interjections and commentary. The narrator goes on tangents about history and how he is telling the story. He also anticipates the reader's reaction to various moments in the story. In this way, the narrative voice is very involved and makes itself very apparent as the story progresses. It breaks up the flow of the narrative in a way that constantly reminds the reader that it is a story being told.

How does Iskander rise to power?

Iskander rises to power by campaigning heavily and relying on his charisma. He rails against the rich and powerful, calling them "fat cats." He also carefully constructs a wholesome public image, cutting out all elements of his old life that might be viewed unfavorably. He also establishes various factions to build local support and then rigs various elections. He is able to ascend to power by being calculating about what people find appealing and then presenting that personality to them so they support his regime.

What is the genre of the book and how does it serve its story?

The novel is a magical realist narrative. It depicts magical and fantastical events, but does so with a straightforward, realistic tone. It serves the story in that it allows Rushdie to include these moments within a very grounded, viscerally realistic story. This gives him the ability to write about Babar becoming an angel at the same time he is describing his death at the hands of a brutal military regime. It is a genre that allows for the coexistence of the magical and the commonplace.