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Discussion Questions
- Tracy Kidder’s book is as much about Haiti as it is about Dr. Paul Farmer. They first meet in Haiti in strange historical circumstances, and later, when Kidder wants to understand Farmer’s work, Farmer tells him he has to go to Haiti. Does the image of Haiti that is presented in the book, the Haiti that Farmer shares with Kidder, and Kidder in turn with the reader, correspond to the one you had initially of Haiti? Does it correspond to what the media, TV series, newspapers items usually represent of Haiti?
- In the second chapter, when Kidder meets Farmer at the hospital in Boston, he meets one of Farmer’s patients who describes him as a saint. Later, when Kidder travels to the Zanmi Lasante clinic in Hinche, Haiti, he suggests that the place is a miracle. Farmer himself speaks openly as well of spirituality and religious belief. What role do you think faith plays in his life and in the projects he is connected to?
- How is Farmer’s medical work related to his sense of self, of community, of what medicine is? What do we learn about his convictions about medicine for the people living in poverty? About faith and medicine? About his general view of health? Of patients?
- The top of the mountains in the central plateau of Haiti is a mental home for Farmer. He says: “To understand Russia, to understand Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Boston, identity politics, Sri Lanka, and Life Savers, you have to be on top of this hill.” Do you have a place that serves the same purpose for you for you as the top of the mountain for Farmer?
- Do you think that Paul Farmer’s childhood, and family, had an influence over the choice he made professionally, or about his way of seeing life in general? What about the factors that influenced your choices in life, your goals, your view of life?
- Paul Farmer is interested in every individual he meets in Haiti and elsewhere and is able to connect with people with very diverse socio-economic and intellectual backgrounds. He moves people who meet him to look beyond their personal interests and commit to the betterment of the world, such as Tom White, Ophelia Dahl and Jim Yong Kim. What personal sacrifices does such a passionate and dedicated personality require? What do you think of the private person P.J.? Of his friendships and private life? What kind of a person is he?
- What is Paul Farmer’s view of public policy and health issues? What does he advocate in Haiti and other places where heath care is expensive for most people and not accessible to most? What do you think of his ideas? Do you think they are applicable as well to the United States?
- Paul Farmer is not only a doctor, he is also a social and economic justice activist, he is a cultural expert on Haitian culture and has a vast knowledge of Haitian history and of Haitian arcane political life at all moments. He has become a famous figure in Haiti. He does speak his mind publicly about his view of politics in Haiti. What do you think of his engagement and of the convergence of his political, medical, and social public positions as a foreign doctor? Do you share his attitude? Do you think he is effective?
- When Tracy Kidder first meets Paul Farmer, he is at times sceptical, sometimes resentful, but as he gets to know Farmer better and better, how do you think he is affected by this person? Why does he portray his own feelings towards Farmer?
- Farmer’s epidemiological knowledge takes him to Haiti, but also to Cuba, Peru, Russian jails. His model is exported and adapted to various locations. Yet, he and his teams are always struggling to keep the model alive, to better it. Why do you think that is?
- What do you think you learned from the book? About Haiti? About Farmer? About health issues? About ordinary citizen’s empowerment?
- Do you think that Paul Farmer inspires other people to work for the common good?
- What do you think the book achieved? For you personally? Do you think it will help Farmer’s work? Public policy?
- What do you think of the title: “Mountains Beyond Mountains”? What does it convey?
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