Topic 1

Who is Valentin? Where is he? Why has he been arrested? What does he do in his spare time? Who or what is he most devoted to? How does he interact at first with Molina, in comparison to later on in the novel?

Topic 2

Who is Molina? How has his sexual orientation affected his life? Why has he been imprisoned? How is his relationship with his mother? What does he want to do once he is released at the beginning of the novel, as opposed to the end?

Topic 3

Who is the warden? Is he good or bad, or is he just a pawn in the larger system of government? What are his feelings toward Molina? What are his feelings toward Valentin? Does he manipulate Molina, or does Molina manipulate him?

Topic 4

Can Valentin trust Molina? Do Molina’s motives change throughout the novel? Does Molina...