How does White foreshadow Aunt Gris’s existence, and how is the narrative affected by White’s decision to reveal her character so near the story’s end? What is her role and significance in the novel?

How do allusions to One Thousand and One Nights (See: Background) and other stories function within the novel? How do these allusions help illuminate the text’s key themes and ideas?

Natacha and Yasmin both enjoy Alex’s stories, and both commend him for his writing ability. However, Natacha’s praise hurts him while Yasmin’s reassures him. Why do their similar estimations of his skill create such different responses? How do their attitudes reflect The Power of Storytelling?