Essay Questions

How does slavery emerge as one of the main themes in the book?

Arjun's main character lives most of his life as a slave serving the elephant owner and the stone carver. Before being enslaved, Arjun is a successful family man. While traveling across the desert, Arjun is ambuscaded by highway goons who steal all his possessions and robs him of his sister. The goons kill Arjun's uncle, but they spare him because he is energetic to be sold as a slave. Later, Arjun is sold to the Elephant owner, where he works for years before being resold to the stone carver. Therefore, slavery is rampant in the book because Arjun and other people are sold to wealthy people to be used for cheap labor.

How does the author demonstrate that an individual should make the best of the situation he finds himself in?

Arjun is captured and sold as a slave, but that does not signify the end of his life. When Arjun is sold to the elephant owner, he is quick to learn the art of caring for elephants, which he emerges victorious. Similarly, Arjun practices martial arts, and he gains recognition as the fearsome worrier. Later, Arjun is captured and sold to the stone carver. While working for his master, Arjun perfects his stone carving techniques and soon develops a deep love for his work as a stone carver. Therefore, Arjun's life does not come to an end when he becomes a slave, but he continues to sharpen his skills-based on the circumstances before him.

What are the emblematic meanings of the elephants and stone carving?

The elephants figuratively epitomize Arjun's mastery of extraordinary circumstances. Despite elephants being seen as dangerous and ugly creatures, Arjun finds refuge in them and learns the art of caring for them. Arjun later becomes the master and worrier, and his mastery is recognized in the entire neighborhood. Stone carving embodies the human abilities to venture into limitless opportunities. For instance, slavery does not limit Arjun from becoming the best stone carver in history.