The Loved One | Topics for Discussion & Projects

The Loved One Topics for Discussion

How do you interpret the disapproving attitude Sir Ambrose has toward Dennis's job at the pet cemetery and his later plan to be a minister? What do you think of this reputation of the British in Hollywood that Sir Ambrose is trying to uphold?

Dennis seems to drift, or perhaps skate, through the entire novel. He seems almost unattached from everyone, even Aimée. What do you think his attitude means, or says about him?

Aimée complains about Dennis being unethical, and seems quite taken with Mr. Joyboy's debonair style at work. What is wrong with her assessment of people? What is missing in her analysis of these two men?

Mr. Joyboy seems fascinated by the corpses upon which he works, and he manipulates their expressions as a way of showing how he feels toward Aimée. What do you think the author is suggesting about Mr. Joyboy in portraying this morbid...
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