Discussion Questions
1. The reference to Humphrey Bogart's hat
in Casablanca indirectly points to another reference to the same
film in the story's title. What does this allusion suggest about the story's
meaning? What are the characters in Casablanca trying to do?
2. Are the motives that cause Sally to treat
the alien with respect entirely virtuous ones?
3. Why does Sally shift pronouns from "it"
to "him" in referring to the alien? Why does distinguishing between a
thing and a human being involve ascribing gender?
4. Is Sally's final anger surprising? Why
is it directed at the alien? Or is it?
5. What is the source of each character's
prejudice? Why is Sally able to overcome hers? |
