QUESTIONS

Rotella’s father emigrated to the U.S. with his parents from Calabria. The book is about his trips to Calabria, with and without his father, to discover his roots.

1. While you are reading this memoir, think about the following subjects/themes for discussion:
   
   • hospitality
     
   • search for family roots
     
   • search for ethnic/national identity
     
   • national/ethnic stereotypes
     
   • history of a place (extent to which the inhabitants of a place are aware of their history)
     
   • exploration of a culture and the elements that make up a culture
     
   • disappearance of traditional ways of life (is this good or bad? progress or disintegration of tradition?)
     

2. What determines a person's national, cultural or ethnic identity? Is it the place of birth, a fondness for certain foods, religion, language? (see p. 288)
   

3. Rotella felt compelled to seek his Calabrian roots. Not everyone is moved to go on a similar quest. Why?