Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie
- 1. The Satanic Verses, a novel by Indian-British author Salman Rushdie, was first published in 1988 and quickly became one of the most controversial works of modern literature, sparking intense debate and protests across the world due to its perceived blasphemy against Islam. The narrative follows two Indian expatriates in Britain, Gibreel Farishta, a Bollywood star, and Saladin Chamcha, a voiceover artist, who experience a surreal journey after surviving a terrorist attack on a plane. The book intertwines their lives with a retelling of the life of the Prophet Muhammad through an alternate history that blends reality and magical realism. Rushdie's richly layered prose explores themes of identity, faith, cultural conflict, and the nature of religious belief, prompting readers to confront the complexities of a postcolonial world they inhabit. The uproar surrounding the novel led to widespread calls for censorship and culminated in the Iranian government issuing a fatwa urging Muslims to kill Rushdie, which forced him into hiding for several years and highlighted the tensions between free expression and religious sensitivities. The Satanic Verses is both a celebration and a critique of multiculturalism, positioning Rushdie as a vital figure in contemporary literature while emphasizing the power and limits of narrative in shaping the discourse around faith and modernity.
Who are the two main characters in 'The Satanic Verses'?
A) Gibreel Farishta and Saladin Chamcha
B) Mohammed and Gabriel
C) Ishmael and Yitzhak
D) Sam and Dean
- 2. Which city is pivotal in the characters' lives?
A) Cairo
B) Mumbai
C) New York
D) London
- 3. Who is the author of 'The Satanic Verses'?
A) Elif Shafak
B) Orhan Pamuk
C) Khaled Hosseini
D) Salman Rushdie
- 4. What role does immigration play in the novel?
A) It's a minor detail
B) It's absent from the story
C) It's only referenced briefly
D) It's a central theme
- 5. What narrative style is used in 'The Satanic Verses'?
A) Realistic
B) Gothic
C) Minimalist
D) Postmodern
- 6. Who was the intended audience for 'The Satanic Verses'?
A) A global audience
B) Only religious scholars
C) Only British readers
D) School children
- 7. What does Gibreel Farishta represent?
A) Wealth and success
B) Despair and hopelessness
C) Faith and divinity
D) War and conflict
- 8. Which character transforms into a demon?
A) Saladin Chamcha
B) Gibreel Farishta
C) Razia
D) Mahound
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