1. What is the significance of Ali pushing Nurdane to do the work of Allah? What kind of burden does he put on Nurdane? Is Ali trying to protect Nurdane or benefit from her talents?

2. Why doesn't Nurdane immediately tell her father about the thieves? What was she trying to protect? How did the experience make her feel about herself? What does Nurdane's silence teach us about her character?

3. Is Nurdane treated like the other young women her age in the village? How does the fact that she is never expected to marry change her role in her culture?

4. What role does Muammer play in Nurdane's life? How does Muammer help her and why? Is he genuinely concerned or just nosy?

5. Discuss the irony of Nurdane being born into a nomadic culture and not being able to walk.

6. What are the similarities between Ayse and Nurdane? What are the differences? How are all of the women in Mavisu linked by tradition?

7. What is Hennessey hoping to find in Mavisu? Does he find what he is looking for? How does Nurdane help him to find it?

8. What motivates Adam's love for Nurdane? Does Nurdane find Adam's medical help useful?

9. How does Hennessey's gesture in picking up the scarf when he first meets Nurdane challenge the way men and women interact in a traditional Islamic society? 10. Why did Nurdane bury the razor blade that she found in the woods with Muammer? Why did this make Muammer nervous? Is Nurdane superstitious?

11. Do you consider Nurdane to be a heroine? Why?

12. What is the significance of Nurdane's sacrifice in regard to the history of women?

13. Despite the sexual innuendos, what is the true reward that Nurdane receives by leading Hennessy into the cave?