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Welcome to the discussion of Part II of Sea of Poppies? Who's still reading along with us?

Drew, I'm almost done with this section... I'm still around!

I’m with you guys!

Good, glad to hear it! I'm excited to see all the characters coming together and interacting.

I am enjoying this book so much, I already bought the other two.

Just about to start Part 2, really enjoying it.

I'm glad to know others are still reading. I will post some discussion questions Mon.

Well, it is Mon. but not the Mon. I intended to post these questions. Sorry! I included some that extend beyond part II.

1. How are women’s roles different from men’s in Sea of Poppies? What common ground do these women share?
2. What does the Ibis represent to Zachary at various points in the novel? How does his perception of the ship change as his perception of himself changes?
3. When Mr. Burnham gives religious instruction to Paulette, what does he reveal about his mindset in general? How does he balance his shame with his attitudes toward suffering, including his notion that slavery somehow yields freedom?
4. Discuss the power of love as it motivates the characters. Does obsession strengthen or weaken Baboo Nob Kissin? What kind of love is illustrated when Deeti gives up her child? What kinds of love does Neel experience in the presence of his loyal wife and his fickle mistress?
5. What gives Neel the ability to endure Alipore Jail and his subsequent voyage? Does he feel genuine compassion for his cell mate, or is he simply trying to make conditions more livable for himself? Ultimately, who is to blame for Neel’s conviction?
6. How did Paulette’s free-spirited upbringing serve her later in life? What advantages and disadvantages did she have?

Great questions drew! I finished this section and will try to answer today. I’ve been working 18 hr days for a few weeks so I totally am behind on posting but looking forward to jumping back in!

Here are my thoughts on your questions, I'm just starting Part III, the Sea! Are any of the rest of you up to this point yet? I cannot WAIT to see what happens when Zachary realizes what Paulette is up to. And Nob Kissin is hilarious!

1. How are women’s roles different from men’s in Sea of Poppies? What common ground do these women share?

Women are expected to fulfill traditional gender roles in marriage, household upkeep and raising children. I found it interesting that when women were kept in the ship's hold, despite their various backgrounds and origins they were able to communicate about recipes and marriage etc.


2. What does the Ibis represent to Zachary at various points in the novel? How does his perception of the ship change as his perception of himself changes?

The Ibist is Zachary's world and his family. I think as time goes by he becomes more and more one with the ship.

3. When Mr. Burnham gives religious instruction to Paulette, what does he reveal about his mindset in general? How does he balance his shame with his attitudes toward suffering, including his notion that slavery somehow yields freedom?

Mr. Burnham is a sick sick puppy. I don't understand how he can give any religious instruction given his weird desire to debase himself and be spanked repeatedly. Too bizarre.

4. Discuss the power of love as it motivates the characters. Does obsession strengthen or weaken Baboo Nob Kissin? What kind of love is illustrated when Deeti gives up her child? What kinds of love does Neel experience in the presence of his loyal wife and his fickle mistress?

I think obsession weakens Nob Kissin as he ultimately folds due to his desire to pursue them. I can't imagine he would have ever gone along with Paulette's scheme if he didn't want information from here! I don't know how I feel about Deeti giving up her child. Yes, she certainly knew that she would give her child a 'better' life by giving her up, but I wonder if most people would prefer to be with their mother even in dire circumstances, if they were truly loved? I think Neel was shocked by the betrayal of his mistress and the loyalty of his wife. I doubt he took these relationships seriously before he was imprisoned.

5. What gives Neel the ability to endure Alipore Jail and his subsequent voyage? Does he feel genuine compassion for his cell mate, or is he simply trying to make conditions more livable for himself? Ultimately, who is to blame for Neel’s conviction?

I was so impressed with Neel's transformation. I think he showed true compassion for his cellmate, but the ability to actually SEE his cellmate as a human being, and to have sympathy for another person, was something he developed while in jail. I think Mr. Burnham is the ultimate cause of Neel's conviction, due to his failure to give Mr. Burnahm land for the debt he had previously incurred. The forgery charge was just a mechanism to take the land back and get Neel out of the way.

6. How did Paulette’s free-spirited upbringing serve her later in life? What advantages and disadvantages did she have?

Paulette is really a fish out of water. She is willing to completely and totally rebuff traditional gender roles and that enables her to nimbly move through the world and achieve goals other women wouldn't dream of having.

I am really enjoying the humorous dialects in this book! I wonder if these combinations of languages actually existed at the time?

Some great thoughts Dianne. I was definitely fascinated by the way the women formed their community in the hold. Deeti and Paulette both became influential, first amongst the women but later they also had influence outside. Deeti managed to get the guards to show some humanity, and Paulette played a key role in the escape plan.

However, Deeti's influence came partly from her own strength of character and partly from the presence of Kalua.

Pamela wrote: "Some great thoughts Dianne. I was definitely fascinated by the way the women formed their community in the hold. Deeti and Paulette both became influential, first amongst the women but later they a..."

Good point about Deeti, wasn't their relationship such a true partnership! I loved to read about them.