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Eleni Gage

Author, Journalist, Pop Folklorist

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North of Ithaka – Discussion Questions

Click here to download and print the discussion questions

1.) What is the significance of the title North of Ithaka?

2.)What motivates Eleni to move to Lia? What do you think of her decision to do so?

3.)Discuss Eleni’s relationship with her aunts. How do their attitudes towards Lia differ and why? How are Eleni and Thitsa Kanta different or similar? How does each change during the book? Do you think Eleni become more like her aunt with age?

4.) What role does the Gatzoyannis house play in the book? What does it symbolize for Eleni? Is there a place in your life that has similar significance?

5.) How do the villagers feel about Eleni? Does Eleni ever really belong in Lia or does she remain an outsider? How would feel you about her moving to Lia if you were a Liote?

6.) Does Eleni’s experience living in Greece affect her views about the country? What are your images of Greece and did this book confirm or challenge them?

7.) How does superstition affect the lives of the villagers? Does it affect Eleni’s life as well? Are you superstitious at all?

8.) Eleni compares her experience to those of two figures in Greek mythology —Odysseus and Persephone. Are these apt comparisons? Why or why not?

9.) What were Eleni’s goals in moving to Lia? Were they achieved or not? Did she meet other people working towards similar goals?

10.) Is Eleni changed after living in Lia, and if so, how? Is Lia changed at all as a result of her presence?

11.) Would you describe Eleni as an American or a Greek person? Why? How do you think she would describe herself? How would you describe yourself?

Click here to download and print the discussion questions

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Eleni Gage

About Eleni

The daughter of a Greek father and a Minnesotan mother. I grew up in Athens, Greece, and the suburbs of Worcester, Massachusetts—
and became obsessed with cultural rituals and traditions along the way.

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Lucky in Love

is a guide to planning a wedding that’s unique, meaningful, and, above all, auspicious, with the help of customs from all over the world

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Travel Writing

I love covering places that inspire me—from Greece to Nicaragua and everywhere in between—for outlets such as Travel+Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, InStyle and more. Join me on my trips here.

 

Essays and Reviews

From parenting to politics to pop culture, I’ve got opinions —and I’m not afraid to share them in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and elsewhere. Learn why I’m a bad mom here.

Lifestyle Articles

I may not always live my best life, but I’m trying to live a better one! I enjoy learning from the experts when writing about everything from reading more to wasting less. Pick up some tips here.

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