Psychological manipulation and cruelty underlie many characters’ motivations in this novel. Which characters are cruel and/or manipulative? How? Why? Use at least five different examples of manipulation/cruelty from five different characters, or multiple examples from at least two characters. How do your examples relate to and help explain a theme of your choice? 

How does this novel function as social satire? Describe the ways in which Kureishi uses techniques such as irony to illuminate a particular theme. What is Kureishi satirizing?

Why does Karim choose acting for his profession? What does he learn growing up that makes him a good actor? What do you think acting represents to Karim and why doesn’t his success as an actor make him happy?