Essay Questions

Is Professor Lovell Depicted as an exceptional character in Babel by R. F. Kuang?

While in China, Professor Lovell meets Robin, a dying boy, after his entire family is wiped out by cholera and offers to help him. Professor Lovell takes Robin to England and lives with him. More importantly, Professor Lovell ensures that Robin gets a proper education. Later, Professor Lovell takes Robin to join the Oxford translation group in Babel. After finishing his training, Robin starts working and earns a decent living. Similarly, Professor Lovell fights for the rights of foreigners and women to work in Babel. Initially, Babel only admitted male British citizens. Due to Professor Lovell's interventions, Rami and Victoire from India and Haiti get an opportunity to work in Babel. Therefore, Professor Lovell is an exceptional character because his primary role is to serve humanity.

How does the author develop the theme of friendship?

Friendship is one of the most vital themes in the novel. While in Canton, China, Robin was lonely after losing his entire family. When Robin joins Babel as a translator in later years, he becomes friends with Rami, Victoire, and Letty. Robin and his friends share similar backgrounds and live as a family because they encourage one another. Therefore, Robin has a new family in England through friends who encourage and support him.

What is the symbolic meaning of Babel?

The author uses Babel to symbolize the silver industrial revolution in England during the 1830s. The author refers to Babel as a center of magic because it drives England's economy, and everything that matters is generated from there. Only Oxford translators can work in Babel to inscribe silver bars from different languages. The iron bars from Babel are used in running engines, making bridges, and healing in hospitals. Therefore, Babel acts as an engine for England's economy.