Essay Questions

How does the theme of cultural conflict emerge in the book ‘The Surrounded’?

Archilde is taken to the USA by his parents to pursue education. After finishing his studies, Archilde comes back to India to live with his parents. While in the USA, Archilde gets westernized in every aspect of his life. His parents back in India are conservative, and they strictly observe traditional norms. Archilde's parents are shocked by his views on religion and culture because they completely contradict the expectations of Indian society. The author shows that America's culture is very different from other countries, incredibly those that are strictly conservative.

How does the author tackle the issue of racism?

Most publications have focused on racial discrimination against minority groups in American, Europe, and other white-dominated countries. However, the author reveals a revelation showing that white people can also be discriminated against. When Achille returns to India, he meets racism from his parents and friends, who make it uncomfortable for him to continue living in India. For instance, Achilde's parents find his white culture's religious views and culture intolerable. Archilde's friends back home are not happy being around him because they view him as an outsider. Therefore, despite the white culture being viewed as superior, it is not welcome in other societies.

In what way is the title ‘The Surrounded’ symbolic?

The title of this book is figurative because it represents Achilde's difficult position in life. Archilde gets the best education in the USA, but it comes with a hefty price. Upon returning home to India, nobody is ready to accept Achilde because of his westernized culture or the white culture. On top of this, Archilde faces discrimination from the people around him because he is a half cast of a Spaniard father and a flat Indian native mother. Towards the end of the story, Archilde decides to go back to America to be accepted, but people fix him in two murders he never committed to punishing him. Therefore, this book's title is symbolic because it narrates how Achille is surrounded by people who do not love him because of his color and white culture.