World Literature & Composition I Summer Reading Assignment:
Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
As you read, answer the following questions in complete sentences. MAKE SURE TO ANSWER ALL PARTS OF EACH QUSETION. The more detailed your answers, the better prepared you’ll be for one of our first summative assessments: an argumentative essay. You can write your responses by hand or type them; however, if you type them, don’t forget to print! This will be your first graded learning activity in World Literature; it will be worth 25 points. Please turn it in on the first full day of classes: Thursday, August 18th.
Chapter 1: The Shah of Blah
1. How does Mr. Sengupta compare or contrast with Haroun and Haroun’s father, Rashid? (1 point)
2. What is the value of Rashid’s stories to the politicians, and how does this make the politicians appear? (1 point)
3. What does Rashid’s performance in the Town of G suggest about the connection between Rashid’s self-confidence and his storytelling gift? (1 point)
Chapter 2: The Mail Coach
1. Who or what is “Khattam-Shud”? (1 point)
2. What could Khattam-Shud possibly foreshadow? (If you don’t know what foreshadow means, look it up in the dictionary.) (1 point)
Chapter 3: The Dull Lake
1. Is Snooty Butoo a likeable character? Why or why not? (1 point)
2. What does Haroun’s ability to change the weather suggest about “The Tale of the Moody Land”? (1 point)
Chapter 4: An Iff and a Butt
1. Who or what pollutes Haroun’s Princess Rescue Story? (1 point)
2. Given this pollution, what do you think the author, Rushdie, is suggesting about stories in general? (1 point)
Chapter 5: About Guppees and Chupwalas
1. Why is it important to the Ocean of Stories that the Old Zone has fallen into disuse due to pollution? (1 point)
2. Identify two specific reasons why a state of war exists between the Lands of Gup and Chup. (1 point)
Chapter 6: The Spy's Story
1. What do members of Khattum-Shud’s Cult of Dumbness and Muteness do to show their devotion? (1 point)
2. Identify at least two specific differences between the Guppees and the Chupwalas. (You may need to draw on information from other chapters.) (1 point)
3. How would the author, Rushdie, finish this sentence: Silence is ______because ______. (1 point)
Chapter 7: Into the Twilight Strip
1. Discuss the significance of Blabbermouth’s response when Haroun says the Guppee army doesn’t look disciplined. (1 point)
Chapter 8: Shadow Warriors
1. Haroun volunteers to spy on Khattum-Shud in the Old Zone. What does this reveal about his growth as a character? (1 point)
Chapter 9: The Dark Ship
1. What does Khattam-Shud transform into? (1 point)
2. Why is transformation significant? (1 point)
Chapter 10: Haroun’s Wish
1. Why does the Cultmaster hate stories? What is Rushdie saying concerning the theme of control? (2 points)
Chapter 11: Princess Batcheat
1. How are the Pages of Gup able to achieve victory? (1 point)
2. How is Rashid rewarded for his services during the war? What is Rushdie saying regarding freedom of speech? (2 point)
Chapter 12: Was it the Walrus?
1. What happens as a result of Rashid’s storytelling at Mr. Buttoo’s political rally? (1 point)
2. What is the significance of the Sad City remembering its name? (1 point)
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