Seven Years In Tibet

Compare and contrast Seven Years in Tibet to another memoir of a foreigner embracing a new culture, such as Seven Pillars of Wisdom. How are the two texts different or similar in terms of their narrative style, authorial persona, and/or key themes?

How does Harrer present himself in the memoir? In what ways does he change, or fail to change, over the course of his narrative?

Analyze the descriptions of Tibet’s landscape and the natural world. How does Harrer’s memoir attempt to convey the atmosphere and beauty of this particular place? What narrative techniques does he use to recreate the nature of Tibet for the reader?

Research the history of Tibet during the time that Harrer lived there. What does the memoir reflect accurately? What historical and/or cultural elements does the memoir misrepresent or ignore?

 Harrer’s account of his trek through India and into Tibet is similar to many other travel/adventure narratives. How does Harrer use some of the key tropes of this genre? In what ways, if any, does he diverge from these tropes?

Analyze the Dalai Lama in the text. How is he characterized? What is his wider role and significance in the memoir?

Compare and contrast Harrer’s memoir with another memoir about Tibet, such as Last Seen in Lhasa by Claire Scobie. In what ways are the authors’ portraits and experiences of Tibet different or similar?

How does the memoir explore the nature of religion and spirituality? How do Tibetan beliefs compare to the European Judeo-Christian tradition Harrer comes from?