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- What are the main characters’ reasons for their pilgrimage? What are their goals? How do their goals reveal their personalities? What are their roles in the narrative?
- What do we know about Mykyta the Stylite? Where does our information about him come from? What are his most important characteristics?
- What is the ‘Eye of the Abyss’?
- Comment on the theme of wisdom and folly. How is it presented in the narrative? How does it contribute to the overall textual meaning?
- The novel’s main characters, the pilgrims, relate a number of stories. What role do these stories play in the narrative?
- What role does the narrative assign to miracles?
- What is the symbolism of Mykyta’s island?
- What symbolic meaning is assigned to Mykyta’s disciples?
- What symbolic meaning is assigned to the community of people living on the island?
- In the novel, knowing the truth and being truthful at times leads to death. Yet the characters keep searching for truth. Why?
- What role does Musii play in the narrative? Comment on his personality and ‘philosophy.’ Why do you think he was executed? How does Musii’s execution characterize the island’s rulers/regime and the community?
- Discuss the theme of death. What is its importance in the narrative?
- In your opinion, what are this novel’s most interesting ideas?
- Why in your opinion was Mykhailo the only survivor?
- What are the conclusions offered by the narrative/narrator?
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