The Enchantress Of Florence

Consider the role of geography in the novel. How are concepts such as East and West, or the “New World” versus the “Old World,” depicted? Does Rushdie reinforce or undermine these dichotomies? How?

Examine the role of storytelling in the novel. In what ways does the novel use structure to emphasize the inherent power of stories? What are the benefits of storytelling? What are the limitations or dangers?

Qara Koz, Angelica, and the Enchantress of Florence are the same person. Is the audience ever able to glimpse the true identity which lurks behind all three names? What is her overall significance to the novel in terms of its key themes and ideas?

Rushdie blends historical figures and events with fictional ones in The Enchantress of Florence. How does this narrative technique illustrate some of the novel’s key themes?

There are different forms of power in the novel: artistic power, political power, sexual power, military power. How are these forms of power depicted? How do they reflect or diverge from one another?

Mogor and the emperor have had very different lives, yet Mogor insists he is the emperor’s uncle. What is the role of family and blood ties in the novel? How do these ties compare with other forms of affiliation in the novel, such as friendship or romance?

How is memory constructed and/or undermined in the novel? What is the relationship between memory and history in The Enchantress of Florence?

Explore the gender dynamics in the novel. In what ways are the female characters and their experiences different or similar to one another? What do these experiences reveal about power imbalances, if any, between the sexes in the novel?