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Kc
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Jun 22, 2013 01:38AM
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Lots of themes here: war, religion, education, technology, family, sex, relationships, health, economy, population, genetics... so it's quite hard to narrow this down to 4 questions! Here are some themes I was interested - please comment, add or refine!
1. The mynah birds are a constant presence throughout the book, and feature at the very start and end. What is the significance of these birds? Are they "faithfully repeating the good advice they don't understand" and who do these birds represent?
2. What is it to be really human?
(Throughout the book, some characters - Murugan in particular are portrayed as 'acting' or fake in some way - playing a part for others). In what sense does Will become a true human?
3. Education "you can't be a good economist unless you're a good psychologist. Or a good engineer without being the right kind of physician" - is this true? Is education able to provide this? How?
4. How far is the utopia of Pala sustainable?
5. East and West - Pala rejected nuclear families, consumerism, religion (or the societal control bit, not spiritual aspects) and embraced Buddhism and some sciences.
6. The Moksha Medicine: Are Will's visions true knowledge or the chemical effects of a hallucinogenic drug? What did it help him to realise?
7. I liked this quote: "Armaments, universal debt and planned obsolescence - those are the three pillars of western prosperity." - it struck a chord.
Is the conclusion an admittance of defeat?
Kirstie
Thanks for adding the questions Kirstie. I am still just a few chapters in, but already noticing the mynah birds and the "oboe like" sounds. Will think of questions as I go, but thanks for the thought provoking list above.
Mod
If that's OK, shall we focus on 1. 3. 6. and 7.?
Best wishes,
Kirstie
Mod
That sounds like a good plan. Plenty to discuss there. I've also been thinking of parallels with the other books we've read, and also back to themes on the edcmooc course, so those questions fit that nicely.
Chris
