The Brooklyn Nine

Compare Felix and Snider’s lives. What has changed over the years? What has stayed the same? Which family traits persist, and which have died away? What do the continuing traits say about their characters?

Consider the role of names in the novel. When are names important? What theme do these names help build? Compare two names within the novel and analyze their meanings and the characters who have them.

How do characters like Kat and Frankie experience The Difficulties of Determining Trustworthiness? Would their experiences change if they were male? Why or why not?

Which different groups are discriminated against and how? How do the different characters respond to this discrimination? Analyze one passage from the novel where discrimination is shown and describe what is happening line by line.

Write a letter to Felix or Uncle Albert from Snider, incorporating at least one theme and symbol or motif from the novel in the letter based on what you know about Snider. What would he say to Felix?

Craft a sports column for a newspaper about Michael’s baseball game, utilizing at least one passage, theme, and symbol or motif from the novel within your article. Choose one quotation of the novel as well. What does Michael’s baseball game tell you about David? About Kat?

In what ways does American history directly affect members of the Schneider family? Choose one character whose life was altered by American history and analyze why this change occurred by focusing on a passage from the text.

How are previous generations depicted in newer generations’ stories? How do these depictions illustrate the novel’s themes?