The English Patient Setting & Symbolism

The English Patient Objects/Places

Books

Hana reads books from the library to the English patient in an attempt to communicate with him, during their time alone at the villa. Later, Hana makes notes in some of the books still shelved in the library.

Herodotus Book

The English patient has no identifying objects on his body when he is brought to the hospital. However, the English patient has with him the Herodotus book, a book about Herodotus within which he has pasted pictures and quotes and has written his own notes.

Morphine

Morphine is a drug used to treat pain. Both the English patient and Caravaggio are addicted to morphine.

Land Mines

Kip is a sapper, or a soldier who specializes in disarming bombs and land minds. Kip comes to Villa San Girolamo in order to dispose of land mines left behind by the Germans.

Letter for Clara

At the end of the novel, Hana writes a letter to her stepmother, Clara, asking permission...
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