Analysis of The Story Q & A by Vikas Swarup

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The story Q & A, written by Vikas Swarup, illustrates the lives of those in the slums of India and how those living there experience life. The novel recites the unimaginable journey of a slum dog who becomes a billionaire. Throughout the rags to riches story of Ram Mohammed Thomas, he is presented with several catalysts which change his life.

In third world countries, dreams represent a catalyst for the citizens living there. Although most dreams are infrequently achieved, the dreams motivate them to work towards achieving something significant in their lives. Throughout Ram’s journey he repeatedly sets goals for himself and imagines himself one day being considerably wealthy. “Every night I dream of visiting the places I see in Australian Geographic.” (Swarup, 80) This quote shows that Ram is dreaming of traveling to far away places, away from the slums. I believe that this dream helps him set high goals for himself and this motivates him to change to try and achieve them. Ram experiences living with a wealthy family, the Taylor’s, and they expose him to the world’s wonders. He dreams of seeing exotic places with his own eyes and not in a magazine which motivates him to work hard so that he can one day travel around the world. Furthermore, dreaming allows Ram to escape his reality in the slums and hope for a better future one day. He needs to believe that his current lifestyle is temporary. For example, “After a while I, too, drift off to sleep, dreaming middle-class dreams of buying a million different things, including a red Ferrari and a beautiful bride in a blue salwar kameez. All with fifty thousand rupees.” (Swarup, 108) This quote shows that Ram is using dreaming as a catalyst and motivation to change his life so that...

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...ing care of Shankar and feels good doing so. He is constantly sacrificing his money and time by helping others This empathy helps him change his life journey by helping him meet new people. Even though helping people delays his own success he does ultimately achieve his dreams.

Vikas Swarup illustrates several significant catalysts that lead to dramatic changes in Ram's life, from slum dog to becoming a billionaire. The dreams to believe it can happen and to want a better life, the ability to form important relationships and love to want to change, and the ability to acquire important character traits such as helping others and empathy. This story teaches us to always be good to other people when they are in need, no matter the circumstances. Ram was always good to people and always did the right thing and in the end it payed off and he won one billion rupees.

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