Themes in heir of promise
Family dysfunction, parent-child relations, war/peace, Canada/USA, race, identity, PTSD, trust, deceit, dreams/reality, wealth, immigration, boundaries, citizenship, competition, fidelity/infidelity, and learning/education/experience are themes in this novel. Which one resonates most with you and which one least? Why?
Bildungsroman – Coming of Age
Several characters in Heir of Promise grow as people. Who grows best, worst, quickest, and slowest?
Characters
How are the characters in Heir of Promise like all of us? How are they dissimilar? If you could substitute yourself for one of the novel’s characters, which character would you be? How might the novel be different if you were in it?
What are the consequences for decisions made by these characters?
History
Using the novel as the primary historical reference, what differences and similarities do you notice between this present age and the late 1960s and early 1970s? What conclusions do you make?
Is this a post-modern novel?
Allusions
The story of Jacob and Esau in the Bible’s Book of Genesis has overt parallels in this novel. How do the two stories compare? How do they contrast?
Are there metaphysical parallels?
Personal Reaction
What upset or pleased you most about this novel?
Extensions
If this book becomes a movie, who would you cast in each role and why? What parts of the novel should the director and writers cut, lessen, expand, and add?
Suggested Reading
A Nation at War: Australian Politics, Society and Diplomacy during the Vietnam War 1965-1975, by Peter Edwards
A Rumor of War, by Philip Caputo
Beauty Beneath the Banyan, by Crystal Fletcher
Fortunate Son, by Lewis Burwell Puller, Jr.
Northern Passage: American Vietnam War Resisters in Canada, by John Hagan
Snow Job: Canada, the United States, and Vietnam (1954–1973), by Charles Taylor
Unknown Warriors: Canadians in the Vietnam War, by Fred Gaffen
Vietnam: A History, by Stanley Karnow
What It is Like to Go to War, by Karl Marlantes
The Vietnam War: An Intimate History by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns, based on the film series by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick
Suggested Viewing
Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket, Platoon, Rescue Dawn, The Deer Hunter,
Vietnam: A Television History
The Vietnam War - film series by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick
Company of Nations
Freedom, power, refugees, race, family dynamics, redemption, infidelity, responsibility, world order, war, peace,
Study Questions
In our personal derailments and hostage situations, how do we respond as individuals?
Are there secrets that can be kept and should be kept? What damage or protection happens in secrets we keep?
How can distant disasters, politics, wars, disease, and other external events affect us personally?
How can we grow in dysfunctional environments and not repeat mistakes from history and patterned behaviour?
Do you have a Yao in your life?
Is there a character with whom you identify most?
TALES FROM EUTOPIA
Study Questions
Staring Truth
Comparing this story to The Boy Who Cried Wolf, does Herbert’s integrity differ from the fable?
Are there events that usually have conspiracy theories attached, that could have been prevented like the premise of this story? Have you felt compelled to mentally prevented them, to go against destiny?
Is there a hero/heroine in this story?
The Deacon
The Deacon and the storyteller both state that they do not understand evil. From this story, what evils do you see, and what evils and good do you see in your life?
What prevents us from remaining in touch with old friends?
Gifted
Fortune knows how to bless and curse the people around her. Do you know individuals who have disabilities who also have this capability?
How are the disabled the prophets of the future?
Inclusion
What’s your understanding of Judy Carriott’s ethos?
Who has been included and excluded in this story?
The Lonely Beat on Simcoe Street
Other than him generically being called “Buddy,” why is the main character’s name not mentioned?
What do you imagine the disconnection between him and his family might be?
Is he heroic?
Dramatic Irony
Rocky and Marcia have an odd friendship. What might they appreciate about each other?
Have you ever had something happen to you where you did not know what was going on and what the motives of others in the situation with you were not what they appeared?
What’s dramatic irony and how is it true to this story?
Kingdoms
Is competence threatening? Is the concept of reaping what is sown/karma real?
Malcolm and Lewis appear in other stories. What seems to be the basis of their friendship?
Is Malcolm jaded or realistic?
What’s a Foot?
If you were Sparrow, how might the range of emotions be as you tell this story to others?
Joe is inspirational to Sparrow. Does he have superhuman qualities? What contributed to his victories?
Breaking Bull Brown
What breaks Bull Brown? How does idealism interact with reality?
Do Bull, Christine, Janine, and Ryan have an unusual friendship? Why or why not?
Indulgence
There are at least two indulgences in this story. What are they and what significance do they have?
How does the setting at the beginning parallel Carla’s status in the coffee shop?
How would you parent differently from Gilda?
Reunion
How is this tale romantic or unromantic?
How has high school experiences affected your lives? Are reunions meaningful?
The New Girl
Why doesn’t New Girl have a name?
The teacher, Patel Mehra, in part identifies with the New Girl. Why?
In telling the story to his girlfriend, Nira, does she fully understand what has happened?
Can all children be taught?
Group Work
Do you believe that these people have truly become friends?
Compare what each character reveals about themselves. Who is most open, and who is most closed?
How is this tale a metaphor for our societal interactions?
Overall Questions
What is Eutopia? Where is it? How close is it to us?
All the stories touch on education. What importance has learning had on your lives? When does learning stop?
A number of characters appear in several stories (Marcia Johnson, Malcolm Reid, Lewis Featherstone). What does each tale reveal about them?