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Describe Roxane Coss.
What is it about her that makes such an impression on the
other hostages and the terrorists? Is it merely that she is
famous? How do her singing and the music relate to the story?
Even though he is given the opportunity to leave the mansion,
Father Arguedas elects to stay with the hostages.
Why does he decide to stay when he risks the possibility of being
killed? As the narrative states, why did he feel, “in the midst of all
this fear and confusion, in the mortal danger of so many lives, the
wild giddiness of good luck?” Isn’t this an odd reaction to have
given the situation? What role does religion play in the story?
There are numerous instances in the story where Mr. Hosokawa
blames himself for the hostages’ situation. He says to Roxane, “But
I was the one who set this whole thing in motion.” Roxane replies
with the following:
“Or did I?” she said. “I thought about declining…. Don’t get me
wrong. I am very capable of blame. This is an event ripe for blame
if I ever saw one. I just don’t blame you.”
Is either one to blame for the situation? If not, who do you think is
ultimately responsible?
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS
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Roxane and Mr. Hosokawa speak different languages and require
Gen to translate their conversations.
Do you think it’s possible to fall in love with someone to whom
you cannot speak directly?
“Roxane Coss and Mr. Hosokawa, however improbable to those
around them, were members of the same tribe, the tribe of the
hostages.... But Gen and Carmen were another matter.”
Compare the love affairs of Gen and Carmen and Roxane and Mr.
Hosokawa. What are the elements that define each relationship?
We find out in the Epilogue that Roxane and Gen have been
married.
How would you describe their relationship throughout the
story? Thibault believes that “Gen and Roxane had married for
love, the love of each other and the love of all the people they
remembered.” What do you think of the novel’s ending? Did it
surprise you? Do you agree with Thibault’s assessment of Gen
and Roxane’s motivations for marrying?
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