1-How do you feel about the use of a flashback from the burning of Saint-Malo back to Marie-Laure’s and
Werner’s earlier years? Is this a good technique, or does it confuse you as a reader?
2-Summarize the legend about the Sea of Flames briefly. Do you think Marie-Laure’s father believes the
legend? Explain your answer. Is the curse believable to us? Do we believe in such types of stories today?
3-How is Werner different from the other children at the orphanage? Explain your answer with evidence from
the reading.
4-Discuss some of the things Marie-Laure’s father did after she went blind. What do you think about his
approach?
5-What role do radios play in the novel up to this point? Look back over the ideas Werner and Jutta hear the
Frenchman discussing on the radio. What deeper meanings seem to exist beneath the surface of what he has
said?
6-Each of the main characters - Marie-Laure and Werner - is leaving home in this section. How are their
feelings and reactions to doing so similar? How are they different?
7-One of the early chapters is called "Something Rising." What is rising in this first section of the novel for the
world and our characters? Explain your answers.
Sample Solution