The Secrets of a Fire King
by Kim Edwards
The Secrets of a Fire King
Discussion/Study Questions
The Great Chain of Being
- What is the meaning and/or symbolism of the title?
- What is the significance of naming? Is it more or less significant in Eshlaini’s culture?
- Is Eshlaini an entirely sympathetic character?
- What is the role of destiny in the story, and how does Eshlaini react to it in the end?
- Does Eshlaini’s father truly believe his accusations of insanity, or is he merely trying to secure Eshlaini’s presence as his caretaker?
- What imagery is used to illustrate the dynamics of the relationship between Eshlaini and her father?
- What is the source of Eshlaini’s strength?
Spring, Mountain, Sea
- Is the fish a turning point in the story? Does it symbolize Jade Moon’s rejection of assimilation?
- How do you perceive Rob? Is he passive, weak, sympathetic, simply human, or something else?
A Gleaming in the Darkness
- What are the parallels between the women?
- Why is the story told from the viewpoint of the observer? What advantages does this perspective offer?
- What is the significance of the title? Specfically, what “light” is gleaming, and what does the “darkness” represent?
Balance
- How do you think the story ends? Does he catch her? Does she dive to her death? Are they both killed?
- Is her dive an attempt for the ultimate, like making love on their heads? Or is it an attempt at suicide?
- What is the “balance” referred to in the title?
- Was her dive a test of his commitment?
The Invitation
- Does this story illustrate the impact of colonialism?
- From where does Joyce’s high self-regard derive?
- How does Joyce’s view of reality change after her encounter with Marcella?
- What does Marcella (the young American) represent?
- What does Joyce’s treatment of Jamal at the end of the story reveal/illustrate?
The Secrets of a Fire King
- Whose child is Jubilee holding at the end? Is it hers? If so, hers by whom? Is it the preacher’s? Is it the bearded man’s? Is it Eli’s?
- Did Phillipa give the note to the right “Fire King”? (That is, is Jubilee there to meet Jasper, or Eli?)
Rat Stories
- What is Claire’s relationship with her husband like?
- Once she discovers the affair, the evening’s events take on a new slant for Claire. Do they for you?
- Why do you think Claire stays with Steve after learning of the affair?
- What is the significance of the rat stories? Why are they the focus of discussion all evening?
- Why does Claire bite Steve like a rat?
The Story of My Life
- Does the title have a double meaning?
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