Q1. Pastan raises an ethical question in lines 3-6 of her poem. What do you think is the most ethical choice- to save a person or save a priceless work of art? Have you ever heard of a similar ethical dilemma? Why do people like to debate these topics.
Q2. Why does the speaker reflect on the imagery of an actual Rembrandt painting in lines 17-23? What might the colors symbolize?
Q3. Looking at the final lines of the poem, what does the speaker conclude about the solution to the question posed in the beginning?
Q4. Do you think readers of the poem would have to see a Rembrandt painting to understand and appreciate the poem itself?