What is the significance of the title?
The title the accidental tourist puts the stress on accidental nature of bill Bryson who was a frequent flyer. He travelled a lot to the world's different parts. He always met some kind of an accident on the way during the aeroplane. Once he bent over to tie his shoe lace and someone was sitting on the seat ahead of him, he threw his seat back into full scratch and the leg of the man sitting next to him to get himself freed. On another incident, he threw a soft drink onto the lap who was sitting besides him. The lady got very annoyed with him, then the flight attendant cleaned up all the mess and brought him another drink. He was always prone to accidents. He always used to forgot his room number and was used to going to the hotel desk to enquire about it. He was carless that when the food was delivered on planes, his wife asked children to take the lids off the fool for him to avoid any kind of accident. While travelling alone, he did not eat, drink or tie his shoelaces. Still he travelled a lot but was prone to accident.
How does Bill Bryson end up in a “crash position” in the aircraft?
Bill Bryson “ached to be suave”. Is he successful in his mis- sion? List his ‘unsuave’ ways.
Why are his teeth and gums navy blue?
Why is his finger bleeding? What is his wife’s reaction?
What happens when the zip on his carry-on bag gives way?
Why do you think Bill Bryson’s wife says to the children, “Take the lids off the food for Daddy”?
Bill Bryson says, “I am, in short, easily confused.” What examples has he given to justify this?
What are the things the child sees on his way to the fair? Why does he lag behind?
How does Toto come to grandfather’s private zoo?
In what way is Iswaran an asset to Mahendra?
What are the two strange things the guru and his disciple find in the Kingdom of Fools?
Why do the courtiers call the prince ‘the Happy Prince’? Is he really happy? What does he see all around him?
What havoc has the super cyclone wreaked in the life of the people of Orissa?
What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness to live?
What does the author notice one Sunday afternoon? What is his mother’s reaction? What does she do?
Has Lushkoff become a beggar by circumstance or by choice?
In the fair he wants many things. What are they? Why does he move on without waiting for an answer?
What are the things the child sees on his way to the fair? Why does he lag behind?
During their conversation Lushkoff reveals that Sergei’s cook, Olga, is responsible for the positive change in him. How has Olga saved Lushkoff?
What do you think happens in the end? Does the child find his parents?
When does he realise that he has lost his way? How have his anxiety and insecurity been described?
Is Lushkoff a willing worker? Why, then, does he agree to chop wood for Sergei?
Why is the author deeply embarrassed the next day in school? Which words show his fear and insecurity?
“Toto was a pretty monkey.” In what sense is Toto pretty?
The cat and the author are very fond of each other. How has this been shown in the story? Where was the cat after the fire? Who brings it back and how?
Why does grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur and how? Why does the ticket collector insist on calling Toto a dog?
What does the swallow see when it flies over the city?