Animal's People

Discuss the burning of the factory and the second “that night.” What is the significance of the fact that the people return to the factory to protest? What is the significance of the fact that most Khaufpuris survive the second “that night” and that the factory still stands after it’s set on fire?

In what ways is the Kampani all-powerful? How does its power oppress the people? What larger system does the Kampani represent? Does the novel suggest the Kampani’s power is impenetrable, and what does the answer suggest about the novel’s message?

Zafar and Elli are at odds through much of the novel. How are they alike? What is their shared goal, and are their methods of achieving that goal similar or different? What are their weaknesses, and how are these weaknesses similar?

How does Animal move readers to relate to him and his people? 

Discuss the topic of Animal’s humanity. Where does he show himself to be human? How do both his kindnesses and his mistakes demonstrate his humanity? 

Why is Animal resentful of “Jarnalis,” and how do the events of the novel validate his resentment? How does Elli unwittingly reinforce his resentment of foreigners?

Discuss the role of religion in Animal’s People. What do various characters believe? Why does Ma Franci believe the Apocalypse is coming? What is Zafar’s complicated belief about God?

In pondering whether musical notes are like promises, Animal concludes that love is the reason people keep their promises to each other. Does he still believe this at the end of the novel? Does the novel support this theory?