Week 10 - RushdieSatanicVerses

Question 1

What is the Satanic Verses

Answer 1

-Published 1988
-Mixes fantasy, adventure, real world history.

Question 2

Plot

Answer 2

-2 main characters survive a plane crash and go through strange changes (appearances).

Question 3

Controversy

Answer 3

The book imagines an alternate version of the Quran (disrespectful to Islamic religion).

Question 4

Reaction

Answer 4

-Many people wanted it banned.
-Rushdie a death threat from the government of Iran.
-Rushdie had to go into hiding.

Question 5

Themes

Answer 5

-Deals with faith, identity and beliefs.
-Spark debate about freedom of speech and expressing ideas.

Question 6

Why this is important?

Answer 6

-Mixes real world issues of culture and religion into a story.
-Right to express ideas.

Question 7

Early Life Salman Rushdie

Answer 7

• Born in Bombay (now Mumbai)
• Muslin by Faith
• Educated in a British boarding school and Cambridge University

Question 8

Rushdie’s life in Pakistan and London

Answer 8

• Lived in Pakistan for two years where his parents had moved
• Settled in London after his time in Pakistan

Question 9

Rushdie’s British Citizenship

Answer 9

• Became a British citizen in 1964

Question 10

Rushdie’s Success as a Novelist

Answer 10

• By 1988, Rushdie was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful
• Best know for his novel “Midnights Children” (1981): A magical realist novel about Indian independence

Question 11

First Book Burning (Bolton, UK)

Answer 11

• Date: December 2, 1988
• Location: Bolton, UK (near Manchester)
• Event: Ritual book burning of The Satanic Verses
• Attendance: Around 7000 people
• Press Coverage: Little press attention

Question 12

Second Book Burning (Bradford, UK)

Answer 12

• Location: Bradford, UK 1989
• Attendance: Around 1000 demonstrators
• Support: Some local support from non-muslim politicians

Question 13

Protest in London

Answer 13

• Date: January 29th, 1989
• Event: 8000 muslims marched in London to protest The Satanic Verses

Question 14

Riot After Translated Sections Read

Answer 14

• Event: Riot broke out after translated sections of the Verse were read in public. Sparked protest

Question 15

Protestors March to American Culture Centre

Answer 15

• Set fires to the building

Question 16

Casualties and Injuries

Answer 16

• Deaths: 5 demonstrators killed
• Injuries: several during protest and riot

Question 17

American Publication of the Novel

Answer 17

• Scheduled release: February 22, 1989

Question 18

The Quran in the Satanic Verses

Answer 18

-Rushdie’s portrayal: The Quran is a man-made book
-Features: Marked by revisions and errors in transcription

Question 19

Muhammad in The Satanic Verses

Answer 19

-Muhammad’s depiction: he is human, not a divine figure
-Role in the novel: Muhammad is portrayed as a human figure, not infallible

Question 20

Islam as Fiction and Poetry

Answer 20

-Rushdie’s views: Islam, like any other religion, is treated as fiction in poetry
-Note: These ideas are not explicitly stated, but implied through the narrator

Question 21

Muhammad Role in the Novel

Answer 21

-Muhammad: In the novel, he is portrayed as only human
-False Verses: He speaks false verses to advance his cause with town leaders

Question 22

The Devil’s Influence

Answer 22

-Removal of Verses: Muhammad removes the false verses and claims that the devil put them in his mouth