Because of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay's use of history, it positions itself within a variety of discourses, unlike many other novels that deal with the same issues. Reading the novel might prompt discussion about the general themes that the novel raises that are not unique to its chosen point in time, about historical issues of that time itself, or both, the ways in which the themes with which it concerns itself have to do with the period of time in which they take place.

1. Find out more about the Golem, a figure from Jewish legend, and consider its appearances in the novel. It appears only at the beginning and end; why do you think Chabon frames his narrative in this way? What is the significance of the Golem for the themes Chabon addresses?

2. During training, Kornblum tells Joe that only love can open...