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The garua (the fog and mist) lifts after the hostages are in
captivity for a number of weeks.
“One would have thought that with so much rain and so little
light the forward march of growth would have been suspended,
when in fact everything had thrived.”
How does this observation about the weather mirror what is
happening inside the vice president’s mansion?
At one point Carmen says to Gen:
“Ask yourself, would it be so awful if we all stayed here in this
beautiful house?” And towards the end of the story it is stated:
“Gen knew that everything was getting better and not just for
him. People were happier.” Messner then says to him:
“You were the brightest one here once, and now you’re as crazy
as the rest of them.”
What do you think of these statements? Do you really believe
this accidental community of hostages and terrorists would rather
stay captive in this house than return to the “real” world?
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When the hostages are finally rescued, Mr. Hosokawa steps in
front of Carmen to save her from a bullet.
Do you think Mr. Hosokawa wanted to die? Once they all
return to their lives, it would be nearly impossible for him to be
with Roxane. Do you think he would rather have died than live
life without her?
The story is told by a narrator who is looking back and recounting
the events that took place.
What do you think of this technique? Did it enhance the story, or
would you have preferred the use of a straight narrative?
Is Patchett too “soft” on terrorism, as some critics charged
when
Bel Canto
was published in May 2011 (prior to the WTC
attacks of Sept. 11)?
How would current technology—laptops, cellphones, etc.—
change the shape of the story?
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