Zorba the Greek | Teaching Setting, Symbolism and Objects

Object Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major objects in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Objects

Crete - This is the name of the Greek island where the mine is located and where the majority of the story unfolds.

Zorba's santuri - The mine foreman carries this instrument with him everywhere and plays it when celebrating.

The hut on the beach - This location was given to Zorba and the narrator by Madame Hortense.

Madame Hortense's Parrot - This object shouts out the name of its owner's dead lover.

The Lignite Mine - The narrator rents this place of work which Zorba oversees.

The Church - A murder occurs outside this location which is visited on holidays and festivals.

Candia - This is the name of the nearest town where supplies are purchased for the mine.

The Widow's Garden - In this location, one character grows oranges and fruits and makes scents out of them.

The Monastery - This a beautiful shrine is inhabited with corruptness and ends up being burnt down..

Statue of the Holy Virgin of Revenge - This object once came to life when the monastery was threatened by Turks.

Timber railway - Much attention goes into building this perfectly, but it ultimately fails and crumbles.