1. Write a paper in which you discuss the different forms of government or society depicted in the novel, including kingdom, hierarchy, democracy, empire, and emirate. How does each work to oppress or free the individual? Besides the six students, which lesser characters relate to each form and why?

2. Research and report on issues of tourism in national parks and public recreation areas. Do you think that the bad effects of tourism outweigh the good? Or do the good effects outweigh the bad? What message about tourism does Jones convey?

3. Jones typically explores the use and misuse of power through magic.

Wermacht warns: "Magic without definite aim is dangerous." Corkoran says: "You have to use magic like a tool, for a certain set of things, and you have to operate within certain safe limits, even then, or you're in trouble." If...