3. In Canto III: Free, "Chapter 14: A Prayer for Healing," what measure has the state introduced during the pandemic to control the spread of disease?

4. How does Hari describe his experience at NYU in terms of visibility?

5. In Canto II: Queer, "Chapter 11: My Gender is Black," why does Hari believe people assume Khia is a male dog?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Canto II: Queer, Chapter 13: "Logging Out of Passport Twitter," how does the theme of anti-Blackness shape the events and interactions found in the chapter?

2. In Canto II: Queer, Chapter 10: "A Prayer for Choice," how does the theme of queerness intersect with Hari's reflections on his family and upbringing?

3. In Canto III: Free Chapter 14: "A Prayer for Healing," how does Hari challenge the conventional notion of dying from old age? What alternative perspective does he present?

4. In Canto III: Free Chapter 16: "A Prayer for Freedom," reflect on Hari's struggle to reconcile his memories and perceptions of his father's actions with his father's denial. How does this internal conflict affect Hari's sense of self and his relationship with his father?

5. In Canto III: Free Chapter 16: "A Prayer for Freedom," analyze Hari's fear of being perceived as dangerous due to his queerness when caring for Nikkee's toddler, Martin. How does this fear impact Hari's behavior and self-expression?

6. In Canto III: Free Chapter 15: "Trigger Warning," analyze the impact of societal norms on how sexual violence is perceived and labeled. How does Hari's experience challenge conventional notions of victimhood

7. In Canto II: Queer, Chapter 12: "A Prayer for New Language," how does Hari's experience with Lisa shed light on the challenges of maintaining friendships while in a romantic relationship?

8. In Canto II: Queer, Chapter 11: "My Gender is Black," how does the historical context of the African slave trade and its impact on Black individuals influence the limitations of language in describing gender and identity?

9. In Canto III: Free Chapter 14: "A Prayer for Healing," how does Hari draw a connection between historical colonization and current global health challenges? What impact does this connection have on marginalized communities?

10. In Canto II: Queer, Chapter 9: "Representation Matters?", describe the concept of the "carceral gaze" (119) and explain how the author proposes to challenge and redefine representation. How does the essay advocate for alternative platforms and narratives to counteract the influence of the carceral gaze.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 2, discuss the impact of familial relationships on Hari Ziyad's identity formation, drawing from his interactions with Mama, Baba, and other family members.