Essay Questions

What does the reader learn about human sexuality?

The central satire in the entire book is that the mother and her daughter share one man to satisfy their sexual desires. Carlotta is married to Arveyda, and they have children together. Behind Carlotta's back, her mother is sleeping with her husband. The reader learns that sexual activeness does not decline with age. Carlotta's mother is still sexually active, and she gets this satisfaction from her daughter's husband. However, it is not justifiable to have such sexual relationships because the end is tragic, as seen when Carlotta runs away. Similarly, Professor Suwelo is still sexually active even after partying ways with his ex-wife, and now he sleeps with Carlotta. Therefore, human sexuality is complicated because sometimes people can do unimaginable things to quench their thirst for sex.

Is a lack of commitment and trust one of the main themes in the book?

The author introduces two male characters, namely Arveyda ad professor Suwelo to depict their lack of commitment and trust in marriage. Arveyda is unfaithful to his wife Carlotta because he is sleeping with Zede, his mother-in-law. When Carlotta discovers this affair, she runs away with her children. On the other hand, Professor Suwelo realizes that he was not committed to his ex-wife, called Fanny, which is why he is currently single.

Why is Carlotta fleeing to South America with her Kids?

Carlotta is shocked to discover that the father of her children is sleeping with her biological mother. Carlotta cannot stand the pain and shame of facing her mother to tell her that she is disrespectful and incredibly an immoral woman. Instead, Carlotta decides to run away to South America with her children to avoid the embarrassment that awaits her. However, it is not clear to the reader whether Zede knows that Arveyda is the father of her grandchildren. Nevertheless, it is satirical that Arveyda is having sex with his mother-in-law, which is a big shame.