Topic 1

Discuss the relationship between Mr. Creighton and Mr. Slime. At a number of points in the book they are compared, even though they seem to hate each other. Ultimately, Mr. Creighton sells the land to Mr. Slime, so that in a sense we can say that Mr. Slime becomes Mr. Creighton. How are these characters related? Why are they described as being the same person? Explain.

Topic 2

What does the head teacher do to Trumper after the inspector has left? How is this provoked? How is this singular incident significant to the larger narrative?

Topic 3

There are times in the narrative when readers are given conflicting ‘truths.’ For example, readers are given two accounts of the landlord’s party. First, the narrator suggests that he and his friends accidentally witness a man and a woman about to engage in sexual relations at the landlord’s party...