The glass ring is a potent artifact that exhibits a wide range of magical powers. It drives the story forward at many points, and guides Sister through most of her quest. When Swan receives the ring, it exhibits a new range of powers, and it is clearly intended for her use. Sister describes it as her "crown."

1) Explain the glass ring's origin and its known powers. What does it provide to anyone who uses it? Are its powers limitless or finite?

2) Discuss the affects of the dream walking that the ring causes. Does there appear to be intelligence and intent behind the visions that dream walkers experience?

3) Discuss the importance of the ring to Swan. What powers does it give to her, and how does it react to her presence?

Essay Topic 2

At the beginning of the novel, the President of the united states is obsessed with fire. He says that mankind has always been obsessed with it, and he becomes obsessed with it himself. Fire recurs throughout the novel as a powerful symbol, being particularly associated with Friend. Near the end of the novel, it is revealed that the former President intends to activate a doomsday device that melts the ice caps, which is another use of fire for destructive ends.

1) Discuss the President's interest in and obsession with fire as a symbol. Explain what causes this obsession and how it affects him after the nuclear blasts.

2) Cite examples from the book to describe how fire is associated with Friend. What theme does the author establish through the use of this association?

3) Describe other uses of fire as a symbol in the novel, including Rusty's saying of "fighting fire with fire."

4) Explain what fire is intended to represent in the novel, and how this concept stands contrary to what the protagonists are trying to achieve.

Essay Topic 3

Roland is one of the primary antagonists of the novel. A deeply flawed child at the beginning of the story, Roland only degrades from his initial position of extreme moral deprivation. When Friend, a supernatural being of pure evil who may be an embodiment of the devil himself, encounters Roland, he describes it like looking into a mirror.

1) Explain who Roland is and how he became an important player in the post-blast world.

2) Discuss Roland's moral flaws, including their origins and impacts on him, and the lowest depths to which Roland is willing to sink.

3) Explain the ways that Roland is able to deal with the violence he causes and sees around him and how he justifies his own works. Explain how the King's Knight game plays into this belief system.

4) Explain why Roland needs a strong figure, such as Macklin or Friend, to follow.

5) Track Roland's descent throughout the novel to the point when he asks to follow Friend and is rejected.

(see the answer keys)

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