Apex Hides the Hurt

Each council member represents a different perspective on the town’s name. Compare and contrast their reasons for wanting the names they do.

It is clearly unrealistic that the protagonist was unaware of his toe’s state. What function does this surrealistic scenario play in the novel?

The novel is satire. What, in your opinion, is being satirized? Cite examples from the text.

Race and racism are important themes in the novel. Choose one aspect of this theme and explore it in depth.

Which founder’s vision for the town is most accurate to what the town becomes? Does the novel endorse the perspective of Goode, Field, or Winthrop? Why or why not?

Why does the protagonist continue to limp even after choosing a name? Can the protagonist ever fully heal?

Compare and contrast at least two of the products the protagonist names. How does branding work in each case? What does this product and its marketing say about consumer culture?

The search for home is intertwined with themes of place, identity, and naming. Discuss the importance of this connection in the novel.