- Characterize the members of Rama’s family. What do Anant Shastri, Laxmibai, Shrinivas, and Krishna want? What keeps them from achieving their desires?
- What is a woman’s position in the family? Does she have any control over her life?
- What does it mean when Anant Shastri names Rama as a scholar?
- How do Rama and her family members participate in continuous pilgrimages?
- Laxmibai makes her son Srinivas swear to protect and provide for his sisters. How will this affect his life? How will it affect Rama?
- Upon investigation, Srinivas declares the Seven Floating Hills to be a fraud. How does this declaration affect Rama?
- Compare the responses of Srinivas and Rama to the deaths of their family members. Why does Srinivas finally decide Rama can recite?
- Srinivas tells Rama: “You’re like Father. Strong, committed, unwavering.” Is he correct?
- What was the purpose of Rama’s examination in Sanskrit, and how does her success change her life?
- Rama tells her brother: “There is no escaping men’s desires.” What do you think she meant?
- What did you think of Rabindranath Tagore’s poem, Unending Love? What was Bipin trying to express to Rama?
- At her brother’s death, Rama agrees to marry Bipin. How much of her decision was due to her promise to Srinivas, her affection for Bipin, and/or the fact that she had no family?
- Rama encourages Reverend Allen to tell her about Christianity. Why?
- What issues does Rama face as a single parent? Could she have made other arrangements?
- Why does Rama decide to go to England?
- Why does Rama decide she and her daughter will be baptized? What does she actually believe?
- Rama launches a public speaking career in America. But first, she sends Mano away. How does she justify sending her child back to Sister Geraldine?
- What are some of the cultural difficulties Rama has in America?
- As Rama leaves to return to India, she wonders: “How many lives a person can live in one lifetime.” What does she mean?
- What brings students to Rama’s school?
- Do you think Rama was right in her decision to leave her door open so students could join/hear her prayers?
- Once in Pune, Rama begins a spiritual crisis. What do you think brought on her unhappiness and doubt? How does it affect the school?
- Where does Rama take Judith on their tour of India? Do you get a sense that Rama’s life is coming full circle?
- Rama sends her daughter away for her education, first to a local school and then to England. How does Mano respond?
- As Rama moves away from Hinduism, does she become more or less like her father?
- How does Rama orchestrate the atmosphere at Mukti before and after the Revival begins?
- What is life like at Mukti, especially after the Revival begins? Does life at Mukti remind you of Rama’s experiences at Wantage convent and Cheltenham Ladies College?
- After Mano completes her education, is there any change in her relationship with her mother?
- Compare Rama’s reaction to Mano’s death to her reactions after other family members died.
- Is Rama at peace when she dies? Does she have regrets? Has she achieved her destiny?
- What sections of Rama’s Labyrinth resonated with you?