34 pages 1 hour read

Waiting for the Barbarians

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980

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Essay Topics

1.

The opening image of the novel is the sunglasses that Colonel Joll is wearing. What effect does this image have on how we acclimate to the text as it unfolds?

2.

How would you explain the Magistrate’s personality as he portrays himself at the beginning of the novel?

3.

How would you evaluate the Magistrate’s reliability as a first-person narrator? Does he present himself as a hero, and if so, is this portrayal accurate?

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