In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje

Ondaatje- Bio 1943 in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Family were British Colonialists- wealthy- owned tea plantation Father alcoholic. Ended marriage. Moved with mother first to England then to Canada. Bishop’s University and University of Toronto Undergrad Queen’s University— Masters 1967 University of Western Prof. until 1971 York University Ph. D. Married Kim Jones— blended family

Discussion Questions Who is a good parent in In the Skin ? What characters experience have the deepest love? What is being said about love? What images did you notice reoccur? Why did Ondaatje pick them? Hints: Blindness/ Moths/ Actors What else?

Patrick and Hanna are “driving to Marmora under six stars and a moon” (Ondaatje 1). How does this situation impact the novel? Marmora, ON Marked with pin Bellrock, ON. just East Paris, ON. by Brantford

historical fiction? Does that matter? Is this novel historical fiction? Does that matter? Log Drivers http://youtu.be/upsZZ2s3xv8

The Bloor Viaduct “will carry trains that have not even been invented” (Ondaatje 26).

At Union Station Patrick felt he “was in the belly of the whale” (Ondaatje 54).

Ambrose is ruthless and reminds people that in the past “the price of a greyhound or a hawk [is] the same as that of a man” (Ondaatje 58). In his opinion any one or anything could be bought. He is a “bare knuckle capitalist” (Ondaatje 60).

Small’s Wife and The Grand Opera House

People hate Ambrose Small because he “clarifi[es] the gulf between the rich and the starving” (Ondaatje 59).

What important discovery happens here? Riverdale Library What important discovery happens here?

Toronto East End Fox Theatre Fire escape: Toronto Oak Leaf Steam Bath

What is life like for an immigrant to this city? Dyers- Tanners

Muskoka Hotel

Toronto Waterworks: R.C. Harris Treatment Plant -Construction from1932-1941 -Art Deco Style- opulent -45% of Toronto Water -Designated historic site 1998.

Toronto Waterworks- What does it take to build a city?

Fertile Crescent Summary of The Epic Gilgamesh was a cruel king. Enkidu was a man placed on Earth by the gods to defeat him. Enkidu ran with the animals, but who learned of civilization from a prostitute then was rejected by the wild.The two men battled, but then became the best of friends. -Together they annoyed the goddess of love by rejecting her, she killed Enkidu. -After Gilgamesh tries to attain immortality but he fails. The only immortality he gains is by making walls for his kingdom and his legend. Fertile Crescent

“The joyful will stoop with sorrow, and when you have gone to the earth I will let my hair grow long for your sake, I will wander through the wilderness in the skin of a lion.” Why is this Ondaatje’s title? Where do they connect?

Closing Questions: What is worth dying for? What is most often at the heart of evil in the novel? What is being said about friendship? Did we see any true friends?

Sad it’s over? Watch The English Patient