Reading in the Dark

Repression and secrecy are dominant themes of the novel. Discuss the ways they manifest in the narrator’s family and how they affect relationships among the family members. 

In many ways, Reading in the Dark is a coming-of-age novel. Discuss the hurdles that the narrator overcomes and the ways in which these experiences thrust him into adulthood. 

There is a divide between gender roles in Reading in the Dark. Analyze the role of gender in the novel and discuss its place in the community of Derry. 

Discuss the role of art in the novel. Analyze how the narrator engages with art in various forms. Explain how this engagement affects his emotional and intellectual development.

Deane infuses the novel with vivid settings. Choose two settings and discuss how they help you understand two of the novel’s central themes. 

Reading in the Dark deviates from the typical structure of a novel in many ways. Choose three of these deviations and discuss how they affect your experience of the work.

Storytelling is an important part of daily life in Derry. Analyze its significance and the ways it affects the members of the community.    

What is the role of the Catholic Church in the novel? How does it affect people on a daily basis and throughout their lives?