53 pages • 1 hour read
David LissThe Coffee Trader
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2003A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
The author includes many details about the characters’ clothing. Describe some of the different clothing and analyze what it represents about the wearers.
Describe the role of Dutch women in Amsterdam’s society. How does it contrast with the role of a typical Jewish woman in Amsterdam?
Compare and contrast Daniel and Miguel’s attitudes toward religion. In whose life does religion play a more significant role?
Deception is a major theme in this novel. Give three examples of characters who purposely deceive others for their own benefit. Were they successful?
Using at least three of the senses, explain how is coffee described throughout the novel. Do these descriptions portray coffee as desirable or dangerous?
Describe the relationship between Miguel and Daniel. What accounts for the rivalry between them?
Compare and contrast Geertruid and Hannah. In what ways are they similar? In what ways are they different?
How is Miguel’s financial success connected to his morality? What do you think the author is trying to say about this connection?
Why do you think Miguel is so fascinated with the tales of Charming Pieter? How does he identify with this character, and what does he hope to learn from him?
Why do you think the author included the “The Factual and Revealing Memoirs of Alonzo Alferonda”? How do these memoirs enhance your understanding of the story? Do you believe them to be factual? Why or why not?
Related Titles
By David Liss
