Bel Canto

Describe the relationship between Mr. Hosokawa and his translator, Gen Watanabe. How are they alike? How are they different? Why is this significant to the cultural unity within the mansion?

Why does Father Arguedas volunteer to stay with the hostages, even after being given several chances to leave? What role does he play within the mansion? What roles do religion and spirituality play?

Is Joachim Messner a successful negotiator? Why or why not? How would his relationship with the hostages and the terrorists be most accurately described? What does he achieve?

How does the problem of socioeconomic disparity inform the hostage situation? What do the terrorists actually want or hope to achieve? How does this compare with what the hostages want?

How does the passage of time and the isolation of space impact the hostages and, concomitantly, the terrorists? How is time experienced within the walls of the mansion?

How is the relationship between Mr. Hosokawa and Roxanne similar to the relationship between Gen and Carmen? How is it different? What is significant about the similarities and/or differences?

How and why are attachments formed between the hostages and the terrorists? Describe some of the most significant bonds, aside from the two love matches. What do these attachments reveal about the characters? What do they imply about society in general?

Ultimately, are the hostages prisoners? Compare and contrast the situation in the mansion at the beginning of the book with the situation near the end of the book. What has changed?