Question 7: Book by Richard Flanagan | Is it a true story?
Do you know that a book touched the magnitude of the Second World War and the power of true love so deeply that he was awarded the world's most prestigious Literature Award – The Booker Prize?
If you are looking for information about the book "Question 7" ("The Narrow Road to the Deep North") by Australia's famous writer Richard Flanagan - then you have come to the right place.
In this article we will know:
Summary of "Question 7"
Is "Question 7" a true story?
What is this story (of “Question 7") based on?
Why is the name of the book "Question 7"?
If you are interested in UPSC, literature, or book review, this information can be very useful for you.
Keep reading and know how a book can touch the depths of war, love and humanity.This article will not only increase your knowledge.
Summary of "Question 7" by Richard Flanagan
"Question 7" is a famous book written by Richard Flanagan, whose original English title is "The Narrow Road to the Deep North". This book is an emotional story that lands into the depths of war, love, pain and human existence. The main character of this book is Dorrigo Evans, an Australian Surgeon and is taken captive by the Japanese during World War II.
The story begins with Dorrigo Evans' youth and his visit to become a doctor. He is a serious, introspective person who is struggling with his past, love and memories of war. The story uses a flashback style, which gives the readers a chance to deeply understand the link between the past and the present.
When Dorrigo is taken captive by the Japanese during the war, it is forcibly worked with other Australian and British prisoners in the construction of the Burma-Thailand Railway (called "Death Railway"). The inhuman conditions, cruelty and derogatory behavior there break him and his companions physically and mentally. In these difficult conditions, Dorrigo is seen as a true leader, but inside it feels helpless and guilty.
Parallel to this, the story also features a deep, but incomplete love between Dorrigo and a woman named Amy. Amy is the wife of his uncle, making her a prohibited love. This love story flows like an emotional stream in the book, which provides a gentle feeling between the cruelties of war.
The book also refers to the post -war time when Dorrigo becomes a famous and respected person, but he is broken from inside. The memories of the atrocities he have seen and suffering from him repeatedly harass him. Even after the end of the war, the war of his mind does not end.
"Question 7" is not just the story of war; it is the complexity of the human mind, the power of love, and the saga of the pain of existence. This shows how a person can become a hero in the eyes of the world, but can feel unsuccessful from within.
Through this book, Richard Flanagan has shown that the war injures not only the body but also the soul. "Question 7" forces us to think what true sacrifice and love are. This story shocks us emotionally and leaves deep questions in the reader's mind.
Is "Question 7" a true story?
Answer: On base truth, but completely imaginary.
This book by Richard Flanagan is not a true autobiography, but its basis is laid on real historical events and experiences. Its plot is a fictional story, but it has many elements inspired by the truth.
What is this story (of “Question 7") based on?
Experience of the author's father:
Richard Flanagan’s father was captives by the Japanese during World War II and the Thai-Burma Death was a warrior of the Railway.
➡️ The main character of the book, Dorrigo Evans, is inspired by the same experiences.
Thai-Burma Railway (Death Railway):
Thousands of prisoners died in building this railway. This historical event is a major part of the book.
➡️ Flanagan has depicted this inhuman experience very deeply.
Mixture of imagination and reality
Fantasy characters: Story characters like Dorrigo Evans, Amy etc. are the imagination of the author, but their experiences are inspired by real events.
Illustration of reality: The way war, hunger, violence, and psychological suffering is described, it is very close to the truth.
Therefore, "Question 7" is not a completely true story, but it is a highly realistic and emotional fictional book based on true experiences and historical events. Its purpose is not to repeat history, but to show the pain and stamina of humanity.
Why is the name of the book "Question 7"?
A deep symbolic meaning is hidden behind the name of Richard Flanagan's book "Question 7". This is not just a general question number, but indicates basic questions related to life, history, and writing.
1. References related to nuclear tests
The inspiration for the title "Question 7" came from a historical event related to nuclear weapons tests in the 1950s.
During these trials, a scientist was asked seven questions that what could happen if the test failed.
➡️ The Seventh question (Question 7) was:
"Can this explosion burn the atmosphere and destroy the whole earth?"
Although this apprehension was theoretical, this question became a symbol of scientific discretion and the danger of humanity.
The title of this book indicates the same "question 7" - the scary, unknown question that raises a question mark on the future of humanity.
2. The question between writing and life
Flanagan exposes difficult questions such as how to convert the author's role in this book, the boundary between truth and imagination, and the tragedy like war.
"Question 7" is a symbol of unresolved questions that the answer is probably not clear, but which needs to be hit.
3. Symbol of humanity, existence and morality
The title of this book points to a question i.e., a question of not only science or history but also of our existence and moral responsibility.
What do we know?
What do we do?
And what will be the effect of our works on the future?
Finally, "Question 7" is a symbol - a question that asks writers, readers, and the whole humanity whether we understand the price of our decisions, wars, loves and silence?
This title makes us think:
Our questions are our answers?
And do we ask our history the correct question?
This is the reason why "Question 7" is a very depth and thoughtful title - which takes the story to another level.
*****
Read also:
👉 World Braille Day (January 4) | What is the Braille System?
👉 Paris Agreement on Climate Change | COP21 in Paris, France
👉 Sundarban Bird Festival 2024 | A Celebration of Avian Diversity
👉 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women | (IDEVAW)
👉 World Philosophy Day, Thu, 16 Nov, 2023 | Idea, Importance and Theme
👉 Saudi National Day, September, 23 | Al-Yaom-ul-Watany
👉 Women's Reservation Bill, 2023 | India
👉 Rosh Hashanah, 2023 | Significance, Celebration, traditional foods and Greetings!