Ariadne

Why does Saint open the novel with the story about King Minos? What effect does this have, and how does it foreshadow the rest of the novel?

Early in the story, Ariadne mentions women either shrinking away like Pasiphae or taking vengeance like Medusa in reaction to injustice. Explore how women in the novel respond to mistreatment. Where do Ariadne, Phaedra, and other female figures ultimately fall on this spectrum?

Daedalus is exceptional among the male characters in this novel; he is skilled and widely admired, including by Ariadne and Phaedra, and yet he is not depicted as cruel or fame-seeking. Examine his character and how he differs from other men in the novel. Are the sisters’ assessments of him trustworthy?