1. Characterize Alec before and after he meets the Black. Does he change in any way?

2. Are the Ramsays a typical American family? Give details to support your answer.

3. Tony comes down the street at the precise moment that Napoleon is needed to calm the Black. Mrs. Ramsay is in Chicago at the time of the match race.

What other coincidences can you think of? Are there too many to be credible?

4. Almost every exchange of dialogue in the novel relates to the black stallion.

Is this technique overdone? Explain your answer.

5. What are the Black's best qualities? What are the worst? Does the Black seem to behave realistically?

6. Does it seem reasonable for Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay to let Alec keep a dangerous horse and ride bareback until spring?

7. Which character is more important, Alec or the Black? Or is each of equal interest...