Answer TWO of the following:
Q1: In Chapter 31, Kirsten is being interviewed by Francois
about the last night of civilization, when Arthur died and a “mystery audience
member” performed CPR on his body. Kirsten remembers “he was kind to me. Do you
know his name?” and Francois replies, “I’m not sure anyone does” (181). Of
course, we know the answers, and have
since Chapter One. Why might this be the point of the novel itself, as well as
the meaning behind Francois’ interview and the Museum itself? What story are
they all trying to tell?
Q2: In Chapter 38, August and Kirsten discuss the idea of
parallel universes, where “a person could theoretically be simultaneously
present and not present, perhaps living out a shadow life in a parallel
universe or two” (200). Kirsten also imagines this as “like the successive
planes formed when two mirrors reflect one another” (200). Why might the theme
of parallel universes be an important metaphor in this book, or a concept which
might have inspired Mandel to write her book the way she did?
Q3: In the book that Frank (Jeevan’s brother) is writing,
there’s a line that goes, “First we only want to be seen, but once we’re seen,
that’s not enough anymore. After that, we want to be remembered” (187). Why is
being remembered so important to human beings and to civilization itself? How
can something selfish become
something selfess—or perhaps, simply beneficial
to other people?
Q4: Instead of leaving the apartment with his brother, Frank
decides to stay in the apartment and die. His reason, or as much as he gives,
is because of the time he spent in the hospital “thinking about civilization.
What it means and what I value in it” (183). Why does his love for civilization
make him choose not to “survive”? What did he fear might happen outside the
apartment—or in the future? In a sense, was he correct?
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