A Long Way Home

Saroo ends his memoir by saying, “Everything is written,” pointing to the inevitability of fate. Consider Saroo’s journey from India to Australia and then back to India. What events may be attributed to Fate and Luck by Saroo? Consider the challenges he faces in terms of poverty, language barriers, and his parents’ attitudes toward fate in your analysis.

Teaching Suggestion: Saroo believes his life is guided equally by fate and luck. Students may find it beneficial to analyze first the circumstances beyond Saroo’s control, such as those that influence his adoption, his search for his family, and the decisions his biological mother and adoptive parents make. It may be helpful for students to consider the idea of fate and luck in Saroo’s early life before considering his adult life.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who would benefit from an additional challenge might explore the impact of poverty on Saroo’s journey using a variety of resources to research statistics and factual information; they might speculate as to Saroo’s life and future had he not experienced the overwhelming obstacle of poverty.

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.