The Shadow Lines Essay Questions

What role does class play in The Shadow Lines?

Class plays a central role throughout the novel. The narrator is constantly aware of where he falls in the social hierarchy. Around characters like Ila and Nick, he is self-conscious about his lack of worldliness. In poor neighborhoods, he is reminded of the fear his parents instilled in him about not slipping backward economically. At the same time, many other characters, particularly the narrator's grandmother and aunt, constantly make comments about other people's class status and treat people differently because of it. Given its pervasive role in the narrator's home country, class informs almost every aspect of the novel.

What is the significance of the titles of the novel's two sections?

In the first section of the novel, Ghosh examines the process of "going away," as certain characters (the narrator, Ila, Robi) disperse across continents. Their bonds with their culture and each other are challenged and tested. In the second section, "coming home," Ghosh has the narrator revisit his past against the backdrop of major political events of the time. He shows how tumultuous moments in Indian history profoundly impacted his life, reaching a climax with Tridib's violent death. The idea of "coming home" refers to the narrator's attempt to understand his memories and unpack the damage done by the terrible loss of his favorite uncle.

What best describes the mood and tone of the novel?

The tone of the novel is reflective, and its mood is melancholy and rueful. The narrator jumps across time repeatedly in the book, following the connections between his memories. He often contrasts his emotions in the moment something happened with the way he feels about it upon reflection. A good example of this occurs when he is remembering his grandmother's death. In the moment, he is angry with her and disturbed by her hateful comments about Ila. Later, he recognizes that she was haunted by the past and wishes he had been less sharp with her. Much of the book's ruefulness comes from the narrator's regrets about not seeing something more clearly at the time.

How are major historical events framed by the novel?

The novel uses these events to show how people's personal lives intersect with the sweep of history. Both Tresawsen and Tridib's deaths come as the result of two political conflicts. Tresawsen is killed during the Blitz by a beam that falls during a bombing raid. Tridib is killed by a rioting mob when he tries to save May. Ghosh uses these two moments to highlight how their lives were impacted by the powerful influence of historical events. In this way, he reveals how they could not change the outcome of the event, but they were able to protect someone they loved.

How does the narrator describe his grandmother?

The narrator describes his grandmother as cold, stubborn, and opinionated. In his portrayal, she is constantly critical of other people, viewing many of the members of her family harshly. She becomes fixated on bringing her uncle from Dhaka to Calcutta and ultimately ends up causing his death, as well as the deaths of Tridib and Khalil. She also writes a cruel letter to the narrator's school recommending that he be expelled. Later in life, she is solely focused on supporting the war effort and constantly makes fervently nationalistic comments. The narrator depicts her as solely valuing her own opinions and being unable to accept criticism from others.