Don't forget! After the class responses are posted to the Message Board, read what everybody has to say about the discussion topic and respond to any or all of them, and feel free to respond to responses :)

Also remember that this is not an opinion question; you are not showcasing your personal beliefs here; we are looking at the literature as literature.

Answer any one of the questions below:

  1. What is the purpose of the trip to El Dorado? What does it seem to represent? What does it say about humans in their pursuit of Eden or heaven or enlightenment or perfection?

  2. All of the characters are flat (stereotypes), be do you saee any character(s) who function as Voltaire's mouthpiece? What passages might reflect Voltaire's vision?

  3. What is the theme (message) of the book? Is Voltaire optimistic? Is he pessimistic in his view of the world and human possibilities? What leads you to conclude this? Note: pay close attention to the ending