60 pages • 2 hours read
Elif ShafakA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
The narration in the book alternates between Peri’s past and a dinner party in Peri’s present. Trace how Shafak uses the narrative techniques of the alternating timelines to tackle the tension between secular and religious identities in contemporary Turkey.
Shafak is a British-Turkish writer who was born in France and has lived both in Turkey and across Europe and America. How does Shafak translate her experiences into the book to examine the impact of cultural hybridity on personal identity?
The book is titled Three Daughters of Eve. Who are the “three daughters” and “Eve,” respectively? Explore the significance of the title through its connection to the themes. How does this title connect to the motif of “the Sinner, the Believer, and the Confused”?
Analyze the arcs of the female characters in the book. How does Shafak explore gender dynamics within religious and geographic contexts? Consider the tensions women face within their own faith tradition, family, and country.
The story moves between Istanbul and Oxford across different timelines, and the author uses these settings to highlight the clash and the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. How do these cities shape Peri’s experiences and transformations? How do they contribute to her inner conflicts and growth? Compare and contrast Peri’s life in Istanbul in the past to the one she leads in the present timeline.
Memory plays a crucial role in shaping Peri’s identity and her understanding of her past. How does Shafak use memory to influence the character development of Peri and other central figures in the text? Analyze the impact of selective memory and trauma on their relationships and personal growth.
Given the diverse perspectives Peri encounters at Oxford, especially in Azur’s seminar, examine the role of education in shaping one’s worldview. How deep is its influence, what are its limitations, and what are some other factors in one’s life that influence the way one approaches the world?
Many of Shafak’s works carry elements of magical realism. Where and how does she use these elements in this novel, and how does it complement the themes and ideas explored in the book?
How does Shafak weave historical and political events into the narrative? Discuss how these elements influence the characters’ identities, belief systems, and the choices they make, particularly concerning their cultural and religious backgrounds.
When Peri finally confronts her past, she has conversations with both Shirin and Azur after years of silence and disconnect. What are the choices Peri made in her life after Oxford that facilitated a continued relationship with Mona but not with the others? What propelled her toward these choices?
By Elif Shafak