1. Describe the major male characters in the book. Include their names, interests, lovers, and their overall attitude. What else is interesting about these individual characters?
2. Describe the major female characters in the book. Include their names, interests, lovers, and their overall attitude. What else is interesting about these individual characters?
3. What do you see as the conflict of artistic style in this book? How do the Venetians/Franks paint in comparison to the Turkish (or Middle-Eastern) artists?
4. What is the narrative point of view in the novel? Does it shift? If so, why? Do these potential shifts change with the focus of the content? Why use this narrative strategy?
5. Why was Elegant Effendi murdered?
6. What are some of the major themes and motifs of the book that you noticed so far? Are there any symbols that go with these themes?
7. Master Osman says there are three questions one should ask to determine "how genuine a painter is" (60). Why do you think the question of an individual "style" is so important to the Master? In what ways is the question important to other characters in the book? (See pp. 17-18, 60, 62-68 from today’s reading, and also 98, 107-113, 126 if you want more hints)
8. How are women portrayed in this novel? Give a few examples of both the degradation they face and the power they hold.
9. Describe some of the minor characters in the novel, and then focus on a minor character (or two if time). What makes her/his role important to the story?
10. Do think it is money alone and not style, timelessness, or "blindness" that determines the best painters? (See pp. 67-68, 73 from today’s reading, and also 102-106 for more hints)
11. What are some similarities between love and painting? (See pp. 37-38, 39-40, 59 from today’s reading, and also 115 for more hints)
12. Explain Shekure’s dilemma dealing with Hasan (See pgs. 43-46)
