What the River Knows

The protagonist and many of the supporting characters harbor secrets and struggle to determine whom they can trust. How do the characters create problems for themselves by withholding trust? On the other hand, which characters encounter danger because they extend trust? What point is the author trying to make with this theme?

How does Inez’s relationship with Whit both follow and subvert romantic tropes, such as the rivals-to-lovers dynamic and the ball scene? How does their complex relationship contribute to the suspense of the novel’s cliffhanger ending?

In what ways is Inez shaped by the theme of Living with Grief and Loneliness? What factors cause her to feel these painful emotions, and how do grief and loneliness motivate her? How do the novel’s twists and turns complicate this theme?

How does the golden ring serve as a motif of The Perils of Extending and Withholding Trust? Consider Cayo’s reasons for sending the ring to Inez and the events at Cleopatra’s tomb in your response.

The novel makes frequent use of similes. How do these figures of speech establish setting, emphasize characters’ emotions, and add interest to the prose?

How does Cleopatra’s tomb serve as a motif of Power Dynamics and Colonialism? Consider its location in the temple of Isis, Lourdes’s plot for the artifacts in the burial chamber, and Mr. Sterling’s motive for seeking the tomb.

How do Inez’s relationships with her uncle and her mother evolve over the course of the novel? How do these changes contribute to the story’s mystery and suspense, and which moments foreshadow who the true antagonist is?

How do roses symbolize Cleopatra? How does this symbol contribute to the plot, the protagonist’s characterization, and the story’s use of magic?