Essay Questions

What moral lesson do readers learn from the case against the former presidents, which involves crimes against humanity?

The main lesson readers learn from the case involving former presidents Gbagbo and Taylor is that it is critical to living by the vows and promises made. These two presidents took oaths of office to protect the constitution and serve their people with integrity but ended up doing exactly the opposite. Later, these presidents are charged with committing crimes against humanity. Consequently, readers learn the value of integrity and the value of guarding the interest of others.

How is love the main theme in the novel 'Intimacies?'

Love is the main theme in the novel because the narrator is depicted as a lonely woman looking for a companion. The narrator's history shows that she has been single for her entire life. When the narrator gets engaged with Adriaan, she does not care about his marital status because she hopes to marry her. However, the narrator's journey for love gets frustrated when Adrian leaves for Lisbon and decides to remain silent for a long period. Later, the narrator is tempted to fall in love with the former president in the court, but she approaches the issue with caution.

How is The Hague figurative, according to the author?

The author uses The Hague as a symbol for justice. All criminal cases against humanity involving states are heard and determined in the International Criminal Court of Justice in The Hague. While the narrator is working as an interpreter in The Hague, she interprets a case involving Charles Taylor and Laurent Gbagbo, accused of misusing their positions in power.