Plot
What event causes Dr. Xu to run for her life at the beginning of the story?
A cyclone strikes her island.
Who is Dr. Xu?
A rich and famous scientist who creates the artificial island.
Where is Dr. Xu's island located?
In the Pacific Ocean.
What is one major theme of the story?
The importance of balance in ecosystems.
How does Dr. Xu's artificial paradise begin to fail?
The ecosystem she created starts to collapse when key species are missing.
What role does Marcello play in the story?
He is Dr. Xu's assistant who helps with her plans and warns her of dangers.
What kind of environment does Dr. Xu create on her island?
A tropical paradise with sandy beaches and a coral lagoon.
How does the story illustrate the concept of interconnectedness in nature?
It shows how the absence of a single species (the blowfly) can lead to the collapse of the entire ecosystem.
What is the climax of the story?
The cyclone hits the island, threatening to destroy it completely.
What is the significance of the blowfly in the story?
The blowfly represents the interconnectedness of the ecosystem; its absence causes failure in the ecosystem.
How does the setting influence the plot of the story?
The setting creates a vulnerable ecosystem that is affected by natural disasters like cyclones.
What lesson does Dr. Xu learn by the end of the story?
That even small, seemingly insignificant creatures can play a crucial role in the environment.
What realization does Dr. Xu come to that explains the problems on her island?
She realizes that the absence of blowflies disrupted the ecosystem.
How does Marcello react to the problems on the island?
He becomes concerned and tries to help Dr. Xu figure out what is wrong
What historical or cultural references are tied to the island's creation?
Dr. Xu's inspiration from artificial islands seen in Dubai and the importance of environmental balance.
How does the story reflect the impact of human actions on the environment?
It shows how human attempts to control nature can lead to unintended consequences.
What happens to the island at the end of the story?
The island collapses and disappears under the ocean’s waves.
Name two other characters mentioned in the book.
The blowfly and the tropical fish (or other characters from the text).
What happens to the setting during the climax of the story?
The island is devastated by a powerful cyclone.
What does the ending of the story suggest about the relationship between humans and nature?
It suggests that humans must respect and understand nature rather than try to dominate it.