Topic 1

How does Greene complicate the pattern and flow of a typical story? He says in the beginning that a story has no beginning or end, but he imposes beginnings and endings throughout. How does his resistance to telling a story make part of the story? Does the affair’s beginning and ending form natural boundaries in spite of his attempt to see a life beyond beginnings and endings?

Topic 2

Is Bendrix driven by a psychological compulsion to write the story of his love affair with Sarah? Or do you think there is a chance that he is having the love affair as a way of gathering experiences he can write about? Has Greene created a character who is an author first, or a lover first? Using evidence from the text, discuss the tension between art and psychology in Bendrix’ writing.

Topic 3

Is faith a feminine sentiment...