Mrs. Sen's

Compare the secondary characters. How do Mr. Sen and Eliot’s mom deal with connection? What do their communication styles reveal about their relationship with the main characters, Eliot and Mrs. Sen?

Analyze the character of Eliot. What is the significance of an 11-year-old main character in a story that is primarily about adult relationships? What information does Eliot reveal to the reader that an adult would not be able to convey?

Discuss the use of color in the story. What colors are associated with Mrs. Sen and Eliot’s mom? How do they differ, and what does this mean for their characterization?

What is the main source of conflict for the characters? How does this conflict prevent the characters from achieving their goals?

What is the meaning of fish in the story? Why does Mrs. Sen focus on fish and the fish market? What do they represent to Mrs. Sen, and how does that affect her state of mind?

What role does the car and Mrs. Sen practicing driving serve in the story? How does she approach these sessions and how does Eliot support her as a passenger?

What are the gender roles in Mr. and Mrs. Sen’s marriage? Is there equality or shared labor in their marriage?

What is the importance of movement (across continents and the town) in the story? What does this motif add to the plot and themes of the story?