The Forty Rules of Love

From the moment he is first introduced, Aladdin seems to be a character who stirs up trouble between members of Rumi’s family. What is the primary reason that Aladdin seems to not get along with Shams and how does that relate to his relationship with his brother?

The transformation Desert Rose undergoes takes her from the brothel to a new, devout life. In what ways does Desert Rose reclaim her past and autonomy by the end of the novel?

Shams is a divisive character throughout the text, earning the admiration and scorn of other characters and the public in equal measure, often for his treatment of Rumi. Give three examples of ways in which Shams employs tactics to humble Rumi and discuss the purpose of each.

Writing is a central focus of the text, with many characters communicating by email and letter. Thinking about the emails exchanged between Ella and Aziz, how does the discourse between the two mirror the discourse between Rumi and Shams?

Even though Shams marries Kimya, he does not have a romantic or sexual relationship with her. Why does Shams struggle to have a relationship with his wife?

Jealousy or the lack thereof is a frequent motivator for characters in the novel. In what instances does jealousy work to the advantage and disadvantage of characters? (Pick two examples of each.)

The most prominent theme in the novel is love. Which relationship best typifies Shams’s ideas about love? Which is least like the vision of love that Shams describes?

Throughout the book, multiple characters suggest that Shams knows black magic. Give examples of the magic Shams uses and discuss how magic relates to his reputation in Konya.