Questions About The High Mountains of Portugal

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Answered Questions (14)

Oh my god, I am so bored.... all the talk of engines and cars and driving for the first time.... Please tell me it gets better?????...

Cameron It's one of the things I love most about Martel's writing. He can take the quotidian, the mundane, and yes, even the downright boring, and still capti…moreIt's one of the things I love most about Martel's writing. He can take the quotidian, the mundane, and yes, even the downright boring, and still captivate me with his writing. I was dragged along, 1904-Renault-like, through every bump and pothole. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I loved it.(less)

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The second story I found less enjoyable – in fact bizarre and confusing. Can anyone interpret the symbolism of the articles found by the pathologist? (Only my loyalty to his prose kept me going through this part!)

Miguel Falé I think it's a dream
The man is definitely traumatized by having autopsied his wife
He dreams with his wife making sense of the bible, she who was so …moreI think it's a dream
The man is definitely traumatized by having autopsied his wife
He dreams with his wife making sense of the bible, she who was so good to the poor and ends up assassinated as Christ did
The other autopsy may have happened and probably the man is also a widow. The most important thing in his live was the love for his wife. The only item missing inside. And what he missed the most after the tragic killing of their golden boy
The monkey and the bear cub simbolizes his unconditional love for his child.
Only animals are able of unconditional love and the chimpanzee is the closest thing you will ever have to a unconditional human love.
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I am intrigued by the symbol of the ape intertwined in the novel? Anyone else?

Melanie

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What are the high mountains mentioned in the title? Is it some metaphor because I cannot think about Serra da Estrela as if it was the Alps?

Cher

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What is the meaning of the Iberian rhinoceros in The High Mountains of Portugal?

Melanie I believe that the rhino represents dreams and aspirations. In the first story, Tomas's brother called the car his Iberian rhino -- his dream. Tomas d…moreI believe that the rhino represents dreams and aspirations. In the first story, Tomas's brother called the car his Iberian rhino -- his dream. Tomas drives that "rhino" to look for his dream. And the locals always dreamed that the rhino was not extinct and still roamed the land. In the end the actual rhino shows that Odo has helped Peter actually realize his dream, which is love and simplicity. Odo goes off to follow that dream.(less)

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