Essay Questions

How does the author highlight the issue of sexual immorality in his book?

The characters, Lydia and her cousin Ardalion are engaged in an illicit sexual affair behind Hermann. Lydia is married to Hermann, and she acts like a perfect wife, which blinds Herman to believe that she can be capable of cheating on him. The issue of sexual immorality paints the picture of one of the critical challenges married couples go through. Unfaithfulness can break even well-established marriages.

What is the central irony in the book 'Despair'?

Hermann finds his wife with Ardalion both naked in a closed room, and he does not seem to get worried. Satirically, Herman ignores what he sees and assumes that his wife cannot have sex with another man. The reader finds it ironic that Herman is ignorant; he refuses to believe that his wife is having sexual intercourse with her cousin.

How does the author depict the sense of sight to readers?

When Hermann walks into the house, he opens a closed room and sees his wife and Ardalion naked! Herman is surprised to see his wife rolling and embracing his first cousin naked and enjoying sex. The description of the events taking place in a closed room depicts the sense of sight to readers. Even though Hermann tries to ignore what he sees and assumes that his wife is the most faithful one, the reader concludes that he is ignorant and does not want to face reality as it is.