For Your Consideration April 22-26 ~ Paloma ~ pgs.241-315

1. Has Paloma entered the concierge's loge to hide from the world, just as Renée seems to be emerging from her camouflage?

2. Do you think Renée has any business resenting the affectation of the rich, like Colombe, who dress as if they are poor? What of intelligent people who disguise themselves as ignorant?

3. Why is Renée dismayed as she reads the final draft of Colombe's thesis? Do you think that Renée too has an obligation to use her acquired knowledge to contribute to the common good? Does Renée believe that?

4. Why do kids burn cars? Why does Paloma want to burn the apartment? Do the answers to both questions relate to Renée's situation?

5. Were there instances of "laconicism" and humorous exchanges that you enjoyed in these chapters while attempting to grasp the deeper philosophical implications?

6. Why is the movement of the falling rosebud so special to Paloma? Do you see Beauty in a fallen rosebud yet to blossom - or does it make you sad?

7. Why did Renée turn down Kakuro's invitation to celebrate his birthday? Was it the photo of his beautiful wife, Sanae? Would she have faced the real reason had Paloma not forced the issue?

8. How did Renée's tearful revelation affect Paloma? (A doctor or a writer - are they nearly the same?)

9. What did Kakuro tell Renée at dinner that changed everything and caused her not to sleep that night?

10. "Suddenly class struggles seem less important." Were they ever really as important as Renée believed them to be? Do you believe class differences are real or imagined?