Thomas Ruffen says of this novel, "The story itself is no more than a few violent incidents in a long lifetime of violence, but the digressions, narrated in sociopathic streams of consciousness, provide fascinating glimpses into the fabric of lawlessness and urban decay." These comments echo the most frequent assessment of the virtues and faults of Madison Smartt Bell, namely that his plot structure is weak but individual passages are brilliant. Discussion groups might examine the structure of The Washington Square Ensemble, considering whether the underlying plot structure has frequently been misunderstood or even overlooked. Another area for discussion is the structure and function of each individual narrative.

More than the later novels, The Washington Square Ensemble develops the theme of inevitability or fate. Discussion groups might analyze the role of the storytelling stone in establishing this theme. Consideration might also be given to the relative...