A Burning

PT Sir is an antagonist in the novel, but he is also an everyman type of character. Analyze Majumdar’s characterization of PT Sir. What drives him to sacrifice his morals? Is his ambition relatable?

Write an essay in which you analyze the effect of India’s caste system on the characters in the novel.

Why does Purnendu write an article that vilifies Jivan after all the tragic and truthful stories she shared with him? In your answer, consider the effects of social media, the state of contemporary journalism, and aspirations for upward mobility.

What is Majumdar’s intention in telling a story with such vastly different endings for Jivan and Lovely? Focus your analysis on Jivan’s execution compared to Lovely’s rise to fame.

Analyze the motif of prison. How does each main character endure a prison, whether physically or mentally? What is Majumdar’s purpose in using this motif?

Imagine yourself in the shoes of Jivan or PT Sir. How would you respond to the conflicts that face these characters? Would you react differently? Why or why not?

Analyze Majumdar’s larger criticism of society. Focus on one of the following topics: education, the justice system, prejudice, poverty, or the caste system.

Examine the structure of the novel’s final chapters. Why does Majumdar give PT Sir and Lovely lengthy chapters, and Jivan a rapid succession of short chapters? What effect does this structure have on the novel and the reader?