Zeitoun Ch III Discussion Questions

Chapter III

1. Why do you think Kathy is so determined to hide her emotions and worries from her kids? Do you think it’s the right reaction to have? Why or why not?
   
2. What are the implications of Mayor Nagin saying that New Orleans had fallen into an “animalistic state”? How might people respond or react to that statement?
   
3. Where do you think the chaos in New Orleans originated?
   
   1. “Was it the residents or was it those sent to bring order?” (194).
      
   2. What assumptions are being made by sending in fully armed military personnel to a flooded city?
      
   3. How do you think residents would/should react to needing help and finding armed forces?
      
4. Why does Eggers include the anecdote about Kathy and Zeitoun walking on the beach to “touch the rock” (196-200)? What is the author’s purpose in including this flashback at this point in the story?
   
5. Where is Zeitoun and why do you think he’s there? (Make predictions, come up with ideas.)