Here's some discussion questions for your bookclub:
1. The author begins and ends the TR by resisting being "sivilized." What do you think the author means by this? What does he do to resist being "sivilized?"
2. Did you ever fantasize about running away? What did you hope to accomplish?
3. Describe the relationship between Dan and Rolf. Does their relationship change over time? In what way?
4. What is the role of the Mississippi River in this book?
5. What did freedom mean to the author? What did it mean to Dan? what does it mean to you?
6. Rolf's sound heart and deformed conscience came into conflict in this TR. Describe one situation and tell how the author resolves the conflict. Remember a situation where your heart and conscience have experienced conflict. Were you able to resolve it in a way that brought you peace?
7. The author used dialect to portray characters realistically and to enhance mood. What effect does dialect have on you as you read?
8. Compare and contrast society in the author's time to today's society. Does time change the "message" of the TR?
9. Ernest Hemingway has said that all modern American literature comes from this TR What features make this stpry modern? What features make this TR American?
10. What makes this TR a controversial and banned TR? What makes the story important and popular in today's world?