1. When Rukmani's son Arjun expresses a desire to work in the tannery, she reminds him that their caste does not include tanners. Provide an explanation of the caste system in India.

2. Compose a paper that uses Ira's journey of maturation and her loss of innocence as a metaphor for the expansion of British industry in India.

3. Describe how natural disasters, such as monsoons and droughts, impact the economic stability of rural families.

4. Compare and contrast Eastern spiritualism with Western materialism.

5. Write a persuasive paper, using specific examples from the novel, to argue for or against arranged marriages.

6. Compare and contrast agricultural societies with industrial societies.

7. Write a paper detailing the role of women in the society of rural South Indian villages.

8. Discuss the significance of religion in traditional cultural practices.

9. Investigate the relationship between Britain and India during the 1940s and 1950s. How does Kenny's behavior toward Rukmani reflect Britain's attitude toward India?

10. Explain the impact of economic changes on traditional societies, using examples from both India and America.

11. Do you consider the caste system to be a form of segregation and discrimination?