Rufus is caught between his mother’s expectations and his true self. How does he balance being dutiful with finding fulfillment? Ultimately, what do you think the basis is for his authentic identity: Ancestry? Affluence? Ability? How does Rufus compare to Gopal Das (a.k.a. Whitney Payne Cabot V) in creating an identity? Do you think being American is an advantage for Gopal Das?