The Marriage Of Opposites

Many of the characters are searching for their identities. How do place, race, and religion influence each character’s perception of self?

Consider this quote by Rachel: “I would write down these stories, along with a list of the wondrous things I myself had seen. When I went to France, I would have dozens of tales to tell, each one so fantastical people would have difficulty believing it” (8). Is the reader to believe these things happened, thus making this novel a work of magical realism? Or are these stories a coping mechanism for Rachel to deal with the things she can’t control? Use textual evidence to support your ideas.

Consider the title of the novel. What actual or literal marriages of opposites take place? (Think about actual marriages or the unions of opposing ideas.) What are their more symbolic or figurative implications? Use specific examples to support your claims.