Severance

Why might the protagonist have been made to be such a passive character? What effect is created by experiencing the narrative through Candace’s eyes?

Could Candace be fevered? Provide evidence from the novel to support your opinion.

How do the chronological shifts in Severance play into the themes of memory and routine?

Do you agree with Candace’s assessment that “the realities of this world” (276) are inescapable? If not, what would it take to get away from them?

Although Severance was published in 2018, Candace’s experiences bear a stark resemblance to the reality of the Coronavirus pandemic. What parallels exist between the novel and reality? How are readers advised to navigate a real-life pandemic?

How do memories serve as a method of connection between characters? Explore the significance of the way stories and vignettes are passed between loved ones.

Why is routine so important to Candace’s life? How does it help her, and how does it hold her back?

Examine the motif of prayer in the story. How does a prayer ritual help Ruifang survive in America? Why does Candace give up on praying, and what is the significance of the moments in which she returns to it?