Since the story is set in Naples and the setting plays an important role, discussion might begin with assessment of life in Naples and other Italian cities in which art galleries, music, and literary associations are attractions for tourists. Conrad's story emphasizes certain contrasts; there are the remarkable scenery and the romantic sense of the past in Naples (the references to the Roman culture of leisure and the ruins of Pompeii) as well as the presence of such cultural events as the outdoor concert; these stand in opposition to the uncertain social life of the present, in which the menace of the robber lurks behind the pleasant appearances of the city. Readers may wish to analyze these contrasts.

Another approach could be to discuss Conrad's story in the light of current feelings about urban crime and the apparently random nature of violence in America and other...