Beautiful Ruins

Compare Pasquale to Richard Burton. Who is the true romantic leading man in Beautiful Ruins?

Research behind-the-scenes information on the production of Cleopatra. Is Michael Deane’s account of the production in Chapter 15 an account based in truth or bitter libel?

Why does Walter choose to center Beautiful Ruins around the filming of Cleopatra? How do the film’s plot and decadent notoriety fit the themes of the novel?

Some critics have called Beautiful Ruins a satirical commentary on Hollywood. What aspects of Hollywood does Walter attack, and how do they play into the concept that Hollywood is an evil place?

Which traits differentiate the American characters from Italian characters? Which traits unify them?

How would Beautiful Ruins change if the plot followed chronological order?

In Chapter 8, Michael Deane tells Pasquale, “My job has no moral component. It is not good and it is not bad” (140). Evaluate the morality of being a Hollywood publicist.

What is the common thread between Alvis, Shane, and Pat? Is it fair to classify them as failures? What differentiates them?