The House of Doors

In an interview with Publisher’s Weekly, Tan said, “I think writers should be out in the world with jobs. It forces you to grow up” (Ermelino, Louisa. “Enter Tan Twan Eng’s New Novel, ‘The House of Doors.’” Publishers Weekly, 21 July 2023). How does this perspective from the author alter your understanding of how the novel presents Willie? What does this say about the author’s crafting of the character of Willie in terms of his function?

World War I haunts The House of Doors, yet very little narrative time is spent during wartime years—only the episode in which Willie meets Gerald. Compare the representation of the war in The House of Doors to the representation of the war in another 1920s-set novel you have read. Consider the community of the characters, setting, or wartime experiences to account for these differences or similarities.

Most of the characters in The House of Doors change very little, bearing the same ignorances and prejudices at the end of the novel as they do in the beginning. How does this affect the novel’s characterization of colonizer communities? Which character demonstrates the most change/growth? How?

How does speaking multiple languages affect Lesley’s self-perception? Does the novel suggest that this perception is accurate?

In his Publisher’s Weekly interview, Tan observes that Gerald is likely the happiest character in the novel. With this in mind, how does the novel present happiness—as something to aspire to? As something obtainable? Argue how different characters (not including Gerald) would value happiness as a worthwhile goal.

Does Lesley’s friendship with Willie alter her anti-gay biases in any way? Using evidence from the text, argue why or why not.

Near the end of the novel, Lesley reveals that she has not shared Arthur’s true name with Willie. How does this affect the novel’s presentation of the rest of the reported histories that characters share? What, if anything, can be taken at face value—and what determines that trustworthiness or lack thereof?

Chart Lesley’s changing attitudes toward silence between herself and Robert throughout the text. What alters her stance? What does that represent, regarding their marriage?