The Man Who Lived Underground

Fred seems to grow aware of certain truths about the world while he’s underground. Why can’t he articulate them? Would it make any difference to the aboveground world if he could?

What is the significance of the movie theater Fred visits? What lesson does he draw there? Why does Wright include this scene in the story?

Underground, Fred goes from being able to remember his name and what has happened to him to being confused, his mind “blank” as he tries to remember anything. Why does Fred slowly lose his sense of self?

The story has several powerful images. Pick one and discuss its significance to Fred and to your understanding of the story.

Who is the intended audience for “The Man Who Lived Underground”? What clues in the text tell you whom Wright is addressing?

Few details are revealed about Fred’s life before the story starts. Why is that? What do you think his life was like?

The title “The Man Who Lived Underground” is in the past tense. Why? What does the word “lived” mean in the story’s context?

The story’s exact setting and time is unclear. Could it take place in the present? What has changed in America since the 1940s that might prevent the story from being believable? What would make it seem authentic in a contemporary setting?