1. Summarize the interaction between Pascali and Bowles just before Pascali leaves the evacuation site and explain if you think Pascali intends to follow through on the agreement with Bowles.

2. When you read that Bowles does not show up at the hotel for his meeting with Izzet, are you surprised?

3. Why do you think Pascali becomes depressed by Dr. Hogan's talk of the Sultan?

4. What do you think is Pascali's interpretation of the man he follows and sees laughing with Bowles?

5. Summarize the interaction between Pascali and Bowles and one probable hidden meaning.

6. How is the slaughter of the sheep symbolic of a "slaughter" that takes place within Pascali?

7. Explain what Pascali has figured out and how Bowles fits into the picture.

8. How does Pascali miss an important clue about Bowles because of Pascali's own desires?

9. What does Pascali take from Bowles' room and why does this show a different side of Pascali?

10. What do you think is one of the main purposes of this short chapter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The characters in Pascali's Island are the central focus of the novel; in other words, the characters drive the plot rather than the other way around as is the case in some novels. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Write an in-depth character analysis of Pascali. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate him. What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

2. Write an in-depth character analysis of Bowles. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate him. What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

3. Choose three other characters besides Pascali or Bowles and write about them in relationship to both Bowles and Pascali. Are they friendly or hostile to either main character? Explain with examples. What is their purpose(s) in the story?

Essay Topic 2

In Section 15, Pascali realizes Bowles believes himself to be on a mission from a higher power and that the balance between his zest for archeology and his drive for financial gain has broken, leaving him nearly insane Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. Pascali makes a pretty astute observation about Bowles. What do you think the phrase means--the balance between his zest for archeology and his drive for financial gain has broken leaving him [Bowles] nearly insane. Give examples from the entire book that has lead up to this moment.

2. In "real" life, most of us are at times driven to compromise between two things--sometimes both seem to be necessary evils; sometime one seems necessary, but it conflicts with something else that is only wanted; sometimes it can be a conflict between two things you want, neither which are essential for health and well being. Write about a time in your life when you were torn between two things, both of which you wanted, but which if one was achieved, the other had to be compromised or abandoned.

3. Do you think many people who "go off the deep end" and commit such horrible acts as mass shootings are people who are extremely conflicted by warring wants/natures? Discuss this idea using specific examples.

Essay Topic 3

In Section 10, Bowles suggests he is working for another party, a fact that Pascali nearly misses in his desire for money. Pascali's failure to note this detail with more attention shows his deep desire to escape the island, as he is willing to believe anything for an opportunity of a better life. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. List some of the reasons Pascali thinks he has a terrible life on the island. Do you think his reasons are valid?

2. Do you think Pascali could have improved his life on the island? How? Why do you think he has not?

3. In Section 6, Pascali thinks eats grapes and halvah and realizes he loves them both, as he loves the island. This seems contradictory to his sometimes desperate desire to leave the island. Discuss how Pascali can both love and hate the island and his life there.

(see the answer keys)

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