1. What passage did you find the most beautiful in this novel and why? Dig into setting here, and give us detail about why you have chosen your passag

The passage that I found the most beautiful in this novel is the sex scene. It is not because I have a lustful mind, but the sex scene where Alice and Clara have sexual intercourse is portrayed beautifully and effectively. The setting is on the dark where Patrick is sleeping and it is an unusual passage where two ladies have sexual intercourse. I thought it was the most beautiful passage because it is very new and thus gives a great impact on the reader. First, when I read this passage, I didn’t really know what two ladies were doing but by reading it again, I realized it was a sex scene. However, it didn’t portray sex as a lustful act but the most beautiful act that human beings can portray. The language that Ondaatje uses is very powerful and beautiful where he weaves his descriptive style. Ondaatje depicts the scene by using imageries and symbols such as moon and witches. However, moon is not present when two ladies have sexual intercourse and this symbolizes two ladies’ characteristics. The setting is important in this passage where two ladies make love in the darkness. This symbolizes that they don’t want to show their act to others. Also, they ask themselves if they are witches. This tells the reader that two ladies don’t want to be revealed because the society won’t accept their act. Also, this scene tells the reader that they are not satisfied with their lovers or men. Since women can understand women the best, they are trying to satisfy themselves from sharing love with the same gender. By using this sex scene, Ondaatje is trying to emphasize the theme which is identity and the impact of love and loss of life.