1. Discuss the use of symbols in the book: Helen Keller; Dixie; the references to dogs in the book, including the opening quotation at the beginning of the novel; the feather pen; etc.

2. How do the epigrams function at the beginning of each chapter?

3. Who is actually writing the book? Whose voice are you hearing?

4. Why does the main character choose to write about the homes he knew and grew up in as a child rather than the more obvious plantations and mansions of the South? How does this work for him? Against him?

5. This book is actually a “novel within a novel.” How is this writing technique achieved?

6. Discuss the difference in writing styles between the New York portion of the book and the Southern portion.

7. How does the author foreshadow in the New York sections what will be happening in the Southern sections? Discuss the “art imitates life” and “life imitates art” usage in the book. When does this turn from one to the other in the book?

8. Discuss the main character’s views on race, Southern culture, New York, and food. Do you think the main character is racist, liberal, or that he is struggling with his feelings on these and other issues in the book?

9. How many tie-ins can you find to the title? Where does the title come from? Why did the author title the book what he did?

10. Discuss the main character’s inability to communicate with the outside world. How does this manifest itself? How does he overcome it? What final attempt does he make to admit who he is and call things by their rightful names?

11. In chapter one Strekfus relates a story about taking an aptitude test when he was young. How does his rationalization of the answers to this test mirror the form, journey of discovery, and plot of the book?

12. Discuss the use of stereotypes in the novel. How does the author use stereotypes and how do certain characters dispel the myths perpetuated by them?

13. What is the significance of the town name, Infanta, in the book?

14. Discuss the use of religious references throughout the book.

15. Why did Althea perform the heroic feat that she did at the climax of the book? How did she view Strekfus and how did he view her? Would they have had the same relationship in another time and place?