Heinrich von Kleist, “The Betrothal in Santo Domingo“

Study questions

1. What is the perspective of the narrator in the first paragraph of the story? How does the narrator betray a prejudice?
2. How does Gustav determine whether it is safe for him in the house?
3. What is the point of the story that Babekan tells about Toni’s father?
4. What is the point of the story that Gustav tells about the woman with yellow fever?
5. What is the point of Gustav’s story about Mariane Congreve?
6. Why is it that Toni cannot speak after being seduced?
7. What causes Toni’s change of loyalties?
8. Is Babekan justified in calling Toni a “disloyal traitress” (258)?
9. Is the narrator justified in calling Toni “faithful” (269)?
10. What elements of the story contradict the narrator’s perspective?
11. How does race function as a sign of faithfulness in the story?