Study Questions
Salpi, Our Cross

"The Stars Faded"

1. How does the narrator describe what awaits “yesterday’s survivors” at the beginning of the story?

2. How does the narrator describe their thoughts and feelings on page 4? What do you notice about the language and imagery?

3. What has happened to their mothers?

4. What has happened to Varsenig? How does she initially respond to Hrand’s offer of marriage?

5. Before they go their separate ways, what does the monk say to the group?

6. Comment on the conclusion of the story. One year later, what has happened to the survivors? What is the tone of the final line?

"Under the Shadow of the Cross"

1. What has happened to Vaskan and her family following their deportation?

2. Describe Vaskan—what does she look like, what she love to do, what is her condition?

3. How is Syria described on page 15?

4. What terrible irony does the narrator point out on page 16?

5. What is the significance of the cross imagery for this story and for entire collection of stories, which is entitled Our Cross?

Across both of the stories, what themes arise? How are the lives of survivors depicted?