Appointment in Samarra Questions and Answers
Appointment in Samarra
Why was Death surprised to see the servant in Baghdad in Appointment in Samarra?
Death was surprised to see the servant in Baghdad because he had an appointment with him the following day in Samarra. This encounter is from the ancient parable referenced in John O'Hara's...
Appointment in Samarra
Why is Death portrayed with a specific gender in "The Appointment in Samarra"?
In the tale "The Appointment in Samarra," Death appears to the servant as a woman, who frightens him enough that he leaves town. However, it is unclear whether Death appears to the servant's master...
Appointment in Samarra
Fatalism and Fate in Appointment in Samarra
Appointment in Samarra by John O'Hara explores themes of fatalism and fate. The story is framed by a quote from Somerset Maugham about a man who cannot escape death, symbolizing the inevitability of...
Appointment in Samarra
Overview and Climax of "Appointment in Samarra"
Appointment in Samarra by John O'Hara follows the self-destructive spiral of Julian English, a wealthy car dealer in 1930s Pennsylvania. The climax occurs when Julian, overwhelmed by his reckless...
Appointment in Samarra
What is the significance of "appointment" in the tale "Appointment in Samarra"?
The significance of "appointment" in "Appointment in Samarra" highlights the inevitability of fate and death. The term refers to a predetermined meeting with Death, as illustrated in an ancient...
Appointment in Samarra
Why does the servant flee to Samarra in Appointment in Samarra?
In the epigraph to the novel Appointment in Samarra, the merchant's servant flees to Samarra because he sees Death in the marketplace and hopes to escape to a place where Death cannot find him....
Appointment in Samarra
Who is Julian English in Appointment in Samarra?
Julian English is the protagonist in John O'Hara's Appointment in Samarra, a thirty-year-old member of the WASP elite in Gibbsville. He owns a car dealership but struggles in business due to his...
Appointment in Samarra
Can Appointment in Samarra be compared and contrasted with "God Father Death"?
Both stories explore themes of fate versus free will. In "Godfather Death," the doctor defies Death, believing he can escape consequences due to his connection, but ultimately faces his fate. In...
Appointment in Samarra
In Appointment in Samarra, what does the merchant approaching death signify?
The merchant approaching death signifies the inevitability of fate and that no one can escape death. The merchant believes he is fleeing death by going to Samarra, but death awaits him there,...