What is the significance of shoelaces? Who is Z. Czaplicki and why does he matter?

Why do you think the book is written in stream of consciousness style?

What is the significance of the escalator? To what extent is it simply a storyline device? To what extent is it symbolic?

What do you think the climax of the book is? Explain your answer.

How does Marcus Aurelius' Meditations fit into the story?

What is the order of events during Howie's lunch hour in real time? In the book? What is accomplished by changing the order?

What is, in Howie's opinion, so great about footnotes? How are footnotes an analogy for the book as a whole?

Do you think The Mezzanine is a single thought or many thoughts? If the latter, how many? How does one count thoughts anyway? Can it be done? Does Howie...