Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of The Oxford Translators' Revolution

What is the novel’s message about authentic friendship across racial or cultural lines? What are the risks and rewards of such friendships? Support your response with evidence from the text.

What challenges do Letty, Robin, Ramy, and Victoire face as others at Oxford? How do they respond to those challenges, and are their strategies effective?

Griffin, Letty, Ramy, and Victoire are all, to some extent, foils to Robin. Compare and contrast Robin and one of his foils. How does the presence of the foil enhance Kuang's characterization of Robin?

Select one of the symbols or motifs in the novel, then discuss how its meaning evolves over the course of the novel.

Kuang uses interludes, epigraphs, and footnotes in addition to the main text. Select one interlude, epigraph, or footnote. Discuss its relationship to the text around it. What is the content of the item, and why might Kuang have chosen to include this information outside of the main text?

Review the epilogue. What is the impact of ending the novel there instead of with Robin’s death? Consider such literary elements such as theme, character, or plot in your response.

Kuang reimagines important events such as the Industrial Revolution, the Luddite strikes, and the First Opium War. Research one of these historical contexts (or another of your choice). Be sure to select one or more credible sources. What changes has Kuang made to the event you researched? How do these changes help her develop her themes, characters, setting, or plot more effectively?

Is violence necessary for confronting oppression? Use evidence from the novel and historical examples to support your response.