Central to any discussion of Dorothea Dreams is the dichotomy between the artist's desire to retreat from the world and the need to be a part of it, the conflict between the concept of "art for art's sake" and the belief that the true value of art lies in its ability to change the world. Actually, this argument goes back to the ancient Greeks. A discussion of this novel could well be centered on the question of whether or not art can and has changed the world.

1. Dorothea and her daughter debate the issue of whether or not the artist owes it to the world to work for social change throughout the novel. What conclusions do they reach? Do you agree or disagree?

2. A quick examination of Charnas's own biography will turn up many similarities between the author and her protagonist in Dorothea Dreams. What implications...