Some of the myths and facts about slavery were very surprising to me. What were you're reactions to the facts and which ones stood out to you the most?

OLOD vs. Romeo and Juliet

Towards the end of Of Love and Other Demons, there are many parallels to Romeo and Juliet, in particular, dying out of love. If this is the case, the convent can be seen as a force (like Romeo and Juliet's parents), separating their love. Do you think Sierva Maria's many misfortunes like being abused by doctors and being thought to be possessed by a demon represented another aspect of Romeo and Juliet or were they just additional forces keeping Sierva in the convent therefore separating her love towards Delaura?

Cultural Relativism

We discussed cultural relativity in class today and defined it as judging a culture on its own terms, and not through your own culture. Do you think it is possible to be completely objective, not biased, when judging another culture?

Alien Invasion

If an extraterrestrial species(i.e. not human), invaded the world in the 1700's, how do you think the Native Americans, Europeans, and Chinese would have reacted?

Sierva Maria's father's help

Do you think that Sierva Maria thought that her father was trying to help her? if so, do you think she appreciated the help?

Machiavelli In America

Machiavelli said that you want to rule with love and fear, but if one is lacking rule with fear. What do you think Machiavelli would think of the way the Spanish ruled the Natives?

If China had found the Americas first

If China had found the Americas first, do you think the Native Americans would have reacted the same way when the Spanish arrived?