Y"Y"
Y, words such as "history," "heritage," and "nationality" appear to possess shifting definitions and uncertain futures. From the story's opening line, a great deal of attention is paid to "passports." What is the underlying meaning of a "passport" in this story? What does it represent, and what does it mean to carry one? What is the significance of having one's passport taken?2. To what does the title refer? Specifically, what within the story is "X," and what is "Y"? And why do they not equal one another?
Does the protagonist of the story appear to view the hijackers or the translator as the primary threat to her safety and existence? In the context of this question, what within the story is represented by the "is not equal to" sign within the title? As Daitch writes, "What would happen without the translator?"
3. The narrative of "XY" is laced with bits of information derived from school textbooks or from the media: geographical facts, historical anecdotes, movie titles, and excerpts from news stories. At the same time, the story portrays a terrified and bored protagonist existing within an atmosphere of "rumors" and uncertainty.
What does this contrast suggest about the limitations of "information," and the postmodern problem of defining identity through conventional means? What does this story suggest about the lives of individuals who are not necessarily hostages, but must define themselves using the same means as the hostage-protagonist?