Kantika

Identify the key historical events, family matters, and personal decisions that change the Cohens’ lives. How do the characters preserve their Sephardic culture amidst these changes?

Examine the protagonist’s complex relationship with her father. Why does she feel a combination of love and hatred toward him? Compare and contrast Rebecca’s and Alberto’s traits and character arcs, giving particular attention to their marriages, faith, and relationships with their children.

In what ways is Rebecca shaped by the theme of displacement? How does her understanding of the meaning of home evolve over the course of her life? How does this theme impact the story’s settings, structure, and overall meaning?

Compare and contrast Rebecca’s and Luna’s relationships with their bodies. How does this theme impact the two characters’ bond with one another? How do both women demonstrate strength?

Throughout the novel, gardening serves as a motif of Displacement and the Meaning of Home. Why do gardens represent home to Alberto? How do Sultana’s and Rebecca’s experiences with gardening help them retain a piece of home?

How does Graver use the motif of song to develop the theme of Cultural Preservation Amidst Change? Consider the novel’s title and resolution in your response.

The expansive novel spans four countries and four decades. How is Rebecca shaped by the places she lives, and how does she leave her mark on them in return?

How does the motif of clothing advance the theme of Women’s Strength and Relationships With Their Bodies? How does Rebecca’s tailoring business demonstrate her strength? How do clothes factor into Luna’s evolving relationship with her body?