View a FREE sample

Essay Topic 1

What does the novel's title mean? Which characters does it reference? Why?

Essay Topic 2

San Francisco as a location for much of the plot development is ironic. San Francisco has two sides--the place where free thinkers live and the place where people like Betty Sue disappear. What is ironic about the two views of San Francisco?

Essay Topic 3

Comment on how the different characters use alcohol. Look at Trahearne, Sughrue and Rosie. In what way does the characters' uses of alcohol characterize them?

Essay Topic 4

Trahearne has previous and successful writing and writing that he is wanting to complete. These two types of writing are very different. What does Trahearne's writing symbolize at different stages in his life?

Essay Topic 5

Edna owns the town's hotel. The story behind her acquisition is important to the story's development, especially Betty Sue's life. How is the hotel symbolic and...

(read more Essay Topics)

This section contains 523 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample