The Human Stain | Topics for Discussion & Projects

The Human Stain Topics for Discussion

Discuss racial discrimination. Is racial discrimination a theme of this novel? Explain why it is a theme or is not a theme in your opinion. Did Coleman commit an act of discrimination when he used the word spook? What are the definitions of spook? Could it be taken as a derogatory slur in 1998?

Discuss personal identity. What does it mean to know one's self? Do you think it is possible to know yourself and still pretend to be something you are not? Why do people choose to hide their real personalities, their real backgrounds?

Discuss secrets and lies. Do all secrets spawn lies? Why? Do you think Coleman's lie led to all the things that happened at the end of his life? Do you think Coleman told Faunia the truth about his past? Do you think the truth would have changed things for Coleman? Did Coleman's secret kill Iris?