51 pages 1 hour read

Shyam Selvadurai

Funny Boy

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1994

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Essay Topics

1.

Setting and environment play a key role in establishing mood and reflecting a change in Arjie’s circumstances throughout the book. Pick two to three different scenes/settings and describe how the author uses setting to demonstrate Arjie’s shifting moods and underscore his personal transformations. You may include both real-world settings and Arjie’s dreams.

2.

Each chapter in this book has a mentor-type figure from whom Arjie learns. Pick one of the following characters and discuss their relationship with Arjie, detailing how Arjie responds to them and whether their relationship changes over the course of the chapter and/or book: Radha Aunty, Jegan, Daryl Uncle and Shehan. Be sure to discuss specific ideas or concepts that Arjie learns through the character.

3.

Antagonists also feature prominently in this book. Pick one of the following antagonists and discuss their relationship with Arjie, detailing how Arjie responds and whether their relationship changes over the course of the chapter and/or book: Tanuja, Diggy, or Black Tie. Be sure to discuss specific ideas or concepts that Arjie learns through the character.