Hey, Beneath a Marble Sky is all about the events that led to the construction of the Taj Mahal—considered one of the great wonders of the world—so it's no surprise that art and culture are a big deal for the characters in this book. The arts have long been respected by Jahanara's family: her father is an amateur poet, whose love for the genre exceeds his talents; her brother is a devotee of cultural cultivation; and her lover is an architectural visionary. One message is hard to miss: Art appreciation is crucial to civilization.
Questions About Art and Culture
- Why does Jahanara's father believe he couldn't have been a great poet?
- Does Jahanara aspire toward the arts? Would you say her skills were artistic?
- How does Aurangzeb's opinion of art and culture help to define his character?
- Why does Jahanara theorize that artistic expression and creation are so important?