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 2

After the blasts, the western part of the United States becomes a war zone, with many small armies competing for scarce resources, the Army of Excellence being only one of many. These groups raid and pillage the countryside, causing untold amounts of suffering, death, and pain.

1) Discuss the reasons that the armies form after the blasts, and discuss why they are prominent in the West.

2) Explain how these armies operate, supply themselves, and interact.

3) Describe the typical modes of warfare employed by the armies.

4) Summarize the impact that the armies have on the regions where they operate.

Essay Topic 3

In the post-blast setting, trust is extended rarely, but its effects are sometimes profoundly important. Due to the lawlessness and brutality of the world around them, few survivors can trust one another, but they must learn to do so in order to survive. Groups like Macklin's army are built around fear and discipline, but groups like Sister's and Swan's, or even the survivor settlements like Homewood and Mary's Rest, are all founded on trust.

1) Discuss the difficulties that people have in trusting each other in this setting. Why is lack of trust a reasonable reaction?

2) Explain some examples of how trust develops between individuals and within groups. Describe some of the benefits that the survivors gain by trusting each other.

3) Describe at least one example of when trust failed to develop, and all parties involved suffered as a result.

4) Explain how trust drives the story forward at various points.

5) Explain why trust is still slow to develop and difficult to maintain, despite its benefits.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,063 words
(approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page)

View a FREE sample

More summaries and resources for teaching or studying Swan Song.

View all Lesson Plans available from BookRags.

Copyrights

BookRags