Final answer:
Salman Rushdie suggests that novels should be grouped based on literary styles and themes, allowing for a more nuanced understanding beyond conventional genres or geographical and linguistic boundaries. Our background influences our interpretation of literature, reflecting and shaping our perspectives on various human concerns. Classroom discussions about literature can reveal differing opinions and stimulate thought on deeper societal and political issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The affinities or similarities that Salman Rushdie believes should be used to group novels, instead of or in addition to linguistic or geographical connections, include c) Literary styles and themes.
Rushdie's notion is that literary works can transcend boundaries by connecting through shared styles, narrative techniques, themes, or subject matter. This approach to classification allows for a broader understanding that is less constricted by the limitations of conventional genres or geographical and linguistic lines.
When it comes to the question of how these placements reflect our origins as students or as part of a wider society, it is clear that our personal experiences, environment, and beliefs deeply influence how we approach and interpret literature.
Our background can shape our understanding and the narratives we are drawn to or find relevance in. Literature is a powerful tool that not only reflects but also shapes individual and collective identities.
As members of a classroom or a society, when we discuss literary works, we may find ourselves agreeing or disagreeing with various classifications or interpretations presented by our peers.
Such discussions reflect our individual perspectives and open a dialogue about the interplay between literature and human concerns like politics, society, and personal development.
In doing so, literature serves a dual function; it is not only a reflection of our world but also a lens through which we examine and sometimes challenge social norms and ideologies including political ideologies.