Written On The Body

What gender might you assign to the narrator? Cite specific instances in the text that support your thesis. Does assigning a gender to the narrator change how you read the story in any way?

Is the narrator reliable? Support your position with evidence from the novel.

Despite the narrator’s extensive history of love affairs with both men and women, the narrator professes to feel a unique attraction to Louise. Why is this the case? What specific attributes does Louise have to spark such intense love on the part of the narrator?

Compare how the narrator discusses past love affairs with how the discussion of the affair with Louise. Why do you think the narrator tells the stories in this way?

The narrator spends time ruminating about the ethical course of action in many different scenarios. Do you think the narrator is a moral person? Use evidence from the novel to support your position. 

Compare the narrator’s descriptions of Jacqueline with the descriptions of Louise. What patterns emerge from this comparison?

Louise explains the history of her marriage to Elgin by noting that they were both immigrants living in London who had provided each other with a sense of safety. As time passed, Louise became disillusioned with Elgin and his personal career goals. How did his aspirations change, and why? What caused Louise’s disappointment in him?

Discuss how the motif of food is used throughout the novel.