Dec 19, 2009

The Satanic Verses | Topics for Further Study

Research the events following the publication of The Satanic Verses. Then, discuss some of the things the episode reveals about the various communities involved (such as fundamentalist Islamic groups, the Western and Indian governments, the news media, and the international community of authors) and the attitudes of each of these groups towards literature.

Examine the many magical and fantastical elements of Rushdie’s novel. Why do Gibreel and Saladin assume supernatural qualities? How does the magic in the novel relate to its main themes? Choose one magical motif in...