The Henna Artist

Give examples of the ways that herbal lore is used by various characters over the course of the novel. How does it compare with Western medicine for its effectiveness and popularity? How does this reflect the novel’s main themes?

What do British classics like Othello and Jane Eyre symbolize in the novel? How do they relate to the characters’ journeys? Why might the author have chosen to reference these particular works?

Explore the cultural climate of India in the 1950s. What role does the West play in shaping the newly independent country? Choose an area of culture, such as film, cooking, youth culture, or fashion, and discuss how Western influence shapes it in the novel.