1. Of course, Elizabeth Lackersteen and James Flory did not know each other during their stay in England. (James is at least ten years her senior.) But, where did they become acquainted?
2. It is easy to imagine the empire as a remote, even exotic place. Many people did-- and some still do. In what way does James and Elizabeth’s connection to the empire early in their lives suggest that the empire was in fact an integral part of the British experience in the early twentieth century?
3. Although the relationship between James and Elizabeth is awkward on many levels, they do share some things in common such as relocating to Burma at approximately the same age, though at different points in time. Did they share a common outlook about the empire when they arrived in and around their twenties?
4. In what ways did their gender, that is to say socially prescribed roles for men and women, determine their relationship to Burma and Burmese people? (You may compare and contrast them with other characters in the novel.)
5. As the possibility of romance grows, James and Flory measure each other against their ideals of masculinity and femininity. Please describe Elizabeth’s definition of white masculinity as well as Flory’s definition of white femininity?
6. List some examples in which each conforms to their respective definition of masculinity and femininity in the colonial setting?
7. Yet, the more James and Elizabeth observe each other in different settings, they increasingly are disappointed with the other. Please list a few examples.
8. What does Elizabeth see in Lieutenant Verrall that Flory lacks.
9. How does Flory redeem himself in Elizabeth’s eyes and that of the European community?
10. Why does Elizabeth reject John after his redemption?