Description: 1. "Anaxandra was just the right name for me," Anaxandra declares. (p. 1) She often examines the names of people and places and their meanings. Think about the importance of names in this novel. How does Pleis' broken pronunciation "Calli Sto" symbolize Anaxandra's story? Why is it important that Anaxandra's birth island had no name?2. Consider the merchant's glass jar in Gythion. "I could see through it," Anaxandra thinks in amazement. "The merchant dropped a shiny red bead into the jar and I could still see the bead. . . . It contained, but did not hide." (p. 56) How does this observation parallel Anaxandra's life? The merchant says that glass "[breaks] more easily than hearts." (p. 57) What is symbolic about the moment the glass breaks? (p. 80)3. Anaxandra says "I will die as Anaxandra" when she fears Helen's wrath on the journey to Troy. (p. 132) Similarly, when she befriends the princess Andromache, she becomes "dizzy with the desire to tell her the truth." (p. 177) Why, at these particular moments, does Anaxandra's true identity become so important to her?4. While telling Euneus stories of her past, Anaxandra blends truths in order to tell him about the loss of the puppy she had on her birth island: "In this version, I had lost Seaweed at Siphnos." (p. 196) How does this help Anaxandra preserve pieces of truth?5. Anaxandra is not the only character whose identity is vulnerable. Discuss the enslaved former queen Aethra, especially in the context of this moment: "The squire bowed, as if Aethra was still a queen. And she was." (p. 158) Also, discuss the implications of Helen's rejection of old loyalties to Menelaus and Sparta when she fiercely proclaims herself "Helen of Troy." (p. 125) How do Helen's and Aethra's changes attest to the resilience of human identity?6. Helen commands attention; her power is irrefutable. Just by smiling, she causes everyone to yearn "to do or say something to make that smile return." (p. 100) Think about the many other instances that prove her vast power, which seems to derive from her beauty, disposition, and half-god birthright. Compare this power to examples of male power in this novel.7. Consider the significance of gender in the relationships and societies in this novel. Examine these quotes in your discussion: "A girl as hostage?" (p. 2) "Nicander . . . brought back the usual treasure: grain, women, lumber." (p. 20) "No man wants wealth more than sons." (p. 19) "Priam has many wives." (p. 50) "But to take a king's son." (p. 126)8. Cassandra, a prisoner in her own land, can see past, present, and future. "And yet it was Cassandra the people feared." (p. 209) Discuss why her omniscience and outspoken truths incite perhaps more fear than Helen's treachery.9. Throughout the novel, Troy is described as a mystifying and invincible city. Consider Anaxandra's thought that Troy "did not cringe inside walls. Troy was the wall." (p. 166) In what ways is Anaxandra like Troy?

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