Rama’s Labyrinth (Wagner-Wright) - Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions
1. Characterize the members of Rama’s family. What do Anant Shastri, Laxmibai, Srinivas, and Krishna want? What keeps them from achieving their desires?

2. What do the first eight chapters reveal about a woman’s position in the family? Does she have any control over her life? Is there anything unusual about the women in Rama’s family?

3. What does it mean when Anant Shastri names Rama as a scholar? How does Rama’s family react? How does Rama’s life change?

4. How do Rama and her family members react and relate to the gods? Why do they participate in continuous pilgrimages?

5. Laxmibai makes her son Srinivas swear to protect and provide for his sisters. How will this affect his life? How will it affect Rama?

6. At Varanasi Rama overhears her father speaking to a former student. The student’s last words were Yeshu Khrista. What did Anant Shastri mean when he said, "Strange how belief can change and yet remain the same."

7. Upon investigation, Srinivas declares the Seven Floating Hills to be a fraud. How does this declaration affect Rama?

8. Compare the responses of Srinivas and Rama to the deaths of their family members. Why does Srinivas finally decide Rama can recite?

9. Srinivas tells Rama: "You’re like Father. Strong, committed, unwavering." Is he correct?

10. What was the purpose of Rama’s examination in Sanskrit, and how does her success change her life?

11. Rama tells her brother: "There is no escaping men’s desires." What do you think she meant?

12. What did you think of Rabindranath Tagore’s poem, "Unending Love"? What was Bipin trying to express to Rama?

13. After her brother’s death, Rama agrees to marry Bipin. How much of her decision is due to her promise to Srinivas, her affection for Bipin, and/or the fact that she had no family?

14. Rama encourages Reverend Allen to tell her about Christianity. Despite the fact she finds many aspects illogical, Rama is drawn to the religion. Why?

15. What issues does Rama face as a single parent? Could she have made other arrangements?

16. Why does Rama decide to go to England? How does she propose to support herself?

17. Why does Rama decide she and her daughter will be baptized? What does she actually believe?

18. Rama launches a public speaking tour in America. But first she sends Mano away. How does she justify sending her child back to Sister Geraldine?

19. What are some of the cultural difficulties Rama has in America?

20. As Rama leaves America to return to India, she wonders: “How many lives a person can live in one lifetime.” What does she mean?

21. What brings students to Rama’s school?

22. Do you think Rama was right in her decision to leave her door open so students could join/hear her prayers?

23. One in Pune, Rama begins a spiritual crisis. What do you think brought on her unhappiness and doubt? How does this affect the school?

24. Where does Rama take Judith on their tour of India? How does Rama react to being in Varanasi again? In Agra? Do you get a sense that Rama’s life is coming full circle?

25. Rama’ sends her daughter away for education, first to a local school and then to England. How does Mano respond? Do you think Rama thought through the decision to send Mano to England? If so, why does she transfer Mano to an American school?

26. As Rama moves away from Hinduism, does she become more or less like her father?

27. How does Rama orchestrate the atmosphere at Mukti before and after the Revival begins?

28. 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?

29. After Mano completes her education, is there any change in the relationship with her mother? Is Mano becoming her own woman, or does she remain in Rama’s shadow? Is Mano like her mother?

30. Compare Rama’s reaction to Mano’s death to her reactions after other family members died.

31. Is Rama at peace when she dies? Does she have regrets? Has she achieved her destiny?

32. What sections of Rama’s Labyrinth resonated with you?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)

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