1. Compare and contrast the conflicts faced by Orwell in "Shooting an Elephant" to those faced by Gideon in "No Witchcraft for Sale." To what unique revelation does Orwell's position as a police officer lead him? How can Gideon's ultimate decision not to share his knowledge be interpreted as an act of rebellion and an assertion of the dignity and worth of his culture?

2. What do pieces such as "Marriage Is a Private Affair" and the excerpt from Nectar in a Sieve demonstrate about the influence of modern ideas and modern ways on traditional cultures? How are the characters in these works affected by the modernization of their respective societies?

3. Of all the characters highlighted in the works included in this unit, which one did you relate to or identify with the most in terms of his or her struggles and conflicts? Why? What was it about this character that made him or her affect you as he or she did? Be sure to point to specific examples from the work to support your response.