The “Midnight’s Children” all have a. secret languages b. magical powers c. hidden identities
Saleem and Shiva are a. best friends b. siblings c. rivals
In 1981, Midnight’s Children a. became a movie b. was banned c. won the Booker Prize
Discussion/essay questions
Salman Rushdie’s work has often been controversial. Rushdie was sued by Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi for content in Midnight’s Children. His 1988 novel, The Satanic Verses, was so controversial that it caused serious threats against his life. What are the consequences of censoring writers? Do you think there is ever a good reason to ban a book? Why or why not?
Transcript
Midnight’s Children is a 1981 novel by Indian-British author Salman Rushdie. It tells the story of a boy named Saleem, who is one of 1,001 children born around midnight on the first day of India’s independence from Britain. Each of these children was born with a magical power. Saleem has the power of telepathy, as well as a very strong sense of smell. He was switched at birth with another boy named Shiva, who becomes his rival later in life. Midnight’s Children won the 1981 Booker Prize. It is famous for its unique use of language and its allegorical elements. Saleem’s character is often interpreted as an allegory for India itself.
Although the story of Peter Pan was originally seen as a fun children’s novel, many people began to speculate that there was a darker meaning to the classic. Some people believe that Neverland is meant to represent death, and that the children who live there don’t age because they died when they were young. Do you think that Barrie implied this on purpose? Why or why not?
Transcript
Peter Pan is a classic children’s story written by Scottish author J.M. Barrie. The story was originally published as a play in 1906, before Barrie adapted it into a novel in 1911. The main characters of the story are Peter Pan himself, and the Darling children: Wendy, John, and Michael. Peter Pan is a magical child who can’t grow up. When he first meets the Darlings, he teaches them how to fly and brings them to a mythical place called Neverland, where children stay children forever. During their adventures in Neverland, Peter and the Darlings encounter fairies, mermaids, and a pirate named Captain Hook – the main antagonist of the story. Although Peter Pan wishes that the Darling children, especially Wendy, would stay in Neverland forever, they all eventually decide to return home and grow up.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was published over a century ago. Why do you think that the themes and characters of this book are still so widely known today?
Transcript
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is an iconic children’s novel by British author Lewis Carroll. The story follows a young girl named Alice, who dreams about jumping down a rabbit hole and discovering a magical land. In this strange world, there are talking animals, cakes that can make Alice grow or shrink, and an evil queen who wants to behead her. The character of Alice was based on a real girl named Alice Liddell, who Carroll originally told the story to. The book was published in 1865, and while children at the time loved the story, many adults were confused by it. At the time that the novel was published, most children’s books included morals. In contrast to this, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was a fun story that had no clear meaning, and that was why children enjoyed it. Many adaptations of this book have been made, and the story is still loved by both children and adults today.
