for The Professor of Desire 1. Is Roth able to rise above the erotic to create a realistic novel of human emotion and experience. Why or why not? If he does, than how does he accomplish his task?

2. Why is Kepesh embarrassed by love? Does he ever confront that embarrassment in an attempt to overcome it? Does he succeed? Why or why not?

3. How does Herbert Bratsky differ from such characters as Claire Ovington and Mr. Barbatnik? Does Roth really attempt to develop those characters, or do they function merely as superficial stereotypes? What, if anything, do they contribute to the maturity of David Kepesh?

4. How does the erotic literature taught by Kepesh, "Desire 341," relate to his actual and vivid sexual experiences with the likes of Elizabeth, Birgitta, and Helen? How does that course, as well as the title of the novel, serve as a bridge between...