Topics for Further Study
- The film adaptation of The English Patient differs significantly from the original novel. After reading the book, watch the movie. Identify and analyze the differences in the plot and character portrayals. Consider why these changes might have been made and how they alter the overall narrative. Choose a chapter or event from the book that was omitted from the film and write a scene for it. How would you integrate this scene into the movie?
- At the novel's conclusion, Hana writes a letter to her stepmother, Clara, detailing the death of her father, Patrick. This letter represents an emotional healing for Clara, who had previously been unable to confront his death. Kip and Caravaggio have also been deeply affected by the war. Do you believe that, like Hana, either of them achieved a sense of healing by the book's end? Write a letter from the perspective of either Caravaggio or Kip, reflecting their state of mind at the story's conclusion.
- Kip's brother is imprisoned in India for refusing to join the British army during a time when India was a British colony. India gained independence two years after WWII, in 1947. Kip's brother protests the British presence in India. Prepare a research report on the Indian independence movement. Who were the key figures? How is British influence still evident in India today? What impact has Indian culture had on Britain?
- The English Patient serves as a sequel to an earlier novel, In the Skin of a Lion, set in Canada and featuring the characters Hana and Caravaggio. Read In the Skin of a Lion. Identify the thematic elements that carry over to The English Patient. How have Hana and Caravaggio evolved as characters? Based on your reading of In the Skin of a Lion, speculate on how their lives might have unfolded if they had not experienced the war.
- To Kip, the bombing of Hiroshima by the United States is an unforgivable act of violence, driven by racism. He is also angered by the way the bombing is reported on the radio. Research news reports on the Hiroshima bombing, from the time it occurred to the present day. How is the event reported? What is the tone? Is the bombing justified? Is there any sense of injustice or wrongdoing that aligns with Kip's feelings? Look for news sources from various countries about the bombing. How have different cultures responded to the event? What is the lasting impact on those cultures today, especially in Japan?
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.