1. What happens at the council meeting between the leaders of New Athens and the Overlord "Inspector," Thanthalteresco? How does Thanthalteresco respond to Dr. Sen's comments?

2. Why do the Overlords watch George Greggson's children?

3. Describe the response and mindset of the people of New Athens after the children are evacuated.

4. What is significant about the results of the tsunami on George Greggson's family?

5. What are George Greggson's thoughts on Jan Rodricks after he learns that Rodricks has stowed away on an Overlord ship? How does Greggson identify with Rodricks?

6. Explain the nature of Jeffrey Greggson's dreams as revealed in Chapter 18 and how the Overlords evaluate what is happening to him.

7. In his radio address in Chapter 20, what does Karellen explain is his reason for occupying the planet?

8. What does Karellen tell Professor Sullivan about the whale display upon seeing it for the first time, and what is the significance of what he says ?

9. How does Karellen explain to Jan Rodricks mankind's ancient fear of the satanic appearance of the Overlords?

10. Describe Jan Rodricks' activities during his stay on Carina. How does he feel about his visit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Earth, as the characters in the novel know it, ends. In the story arc, identify when the end of mankind becomes inevitable. Discuss whether or not the novel could have ended any other way. Are George Greggson, Jean Morrel, and Jan Rodricks tragic figures, or are they heroes? Defend your answer. If Clarke had asked you to title his novel, would you have chosen "Childhood's End" or "Childhood's Beginning"? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

New Athens is introduced as another backdrop for events in the novel, and Ben Salomon is identified as the colony's founder. Contrast the differences in New Athens and the rest of the Utopian society. Discuss Salomon's rationale in founding New Athens. Note and emphasize his desire for it to be an artists' colony and his reasoning behind that decision. Another biblical reference is noted with Salomon and his comparison to Moses. Discuss the spiritual (but not necessarily religious) implications in Salomon's work.

Essay Topic 3

Jan Rodricks decides to hide himself in a whale display that will be loaded on board the Overlords' ship and transported to their planet. Discuss the price he has to pay relative to friends and loved ones by going through with his plot. Was it "worth it"? Explain. Rodricks also refers to the story of Jonah and the whale, another one of several biblical references in the novel. Discuss what parallels to the biblical account he sees in his own life.

(see the answer keys)

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