Thirst

While studying for her exam, Minni learns about Gandhi’s 1930 Salt March. Learn about this event and then write an essay explaining why Bajaj chose to reference that specific moment in Indian history. How does the Salt March relate to the other themes explored throughout the book?

Minni’s mother tells her that she needs to “grow up.” What do you think she means by this? In what ways does Minni “grow up” over the course of the story?

Despite coming from different religious backgrounds, Minni and Faiza are very close friends (Minni is Hindu, and Faiza is Muslim). There are many other religions practiced in India. Learn more about one and consider what details might be added to the story if Minni had a friend from that faith. What traditions might that character observe, and how would their religion inform how they respond to the events in the book?

Do you consider Pinky to be an antagonist in this story? Using textual evidence, explain why or why not.

Like water, food plays a very important role in the book. Consider Minni and her family’s relationship with food and how it characterizes them. What does food reveal about the characters in Thirst and, more broadly, their culture?

Several chapters in Thirst are concluded with a short poem written by Minni. What narrative role do these poems play, and what information do they reveal that the prose portions of the book cannot?

How does Minni’s gender inform her experiences throughout the book? Are there particular challenges she faces because she is a girl that the male characters are not concerned with? How does Bajaj indicate that these are gendered struggles?

Thirst portrays a vibrant community with several secondary characters who support Minni. Select one of these supportive figures and analyze Bajaj’s portrayal of them. What key ideas are communicated about and by this character?