A Psalm for the Wild-Built

Ms. Jules is a water engineer in the midst of a crisis, but she carves time out from her day to talk to Dex and to sit with their cup of tea. How might this scenario have been received in our own modern world, and what does this say about our societal values?

Contrast the imagery of pre-Transition and post-Transition Panga using examples from the text. How does Chambers use imagery to suggest that sustainable living is an imperative that we must prioritize on Earth?

In our society, technology is often associated with comfort and convenience. How does Dex’s aesthetically appealing and practical wagon subvert the belief that technology improves our lives?

How does the quest for meaning change throughout the narrative? How do each of the characters value meaning differently?

Does the novel suggest that Panga would have moved toward ecological sustainability if not for the massive and unprecedented event of the Awakening? Why or why not?

How does the novel subvert character stereotypes and tropes? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Mosscap provides comfort for Dex through the tea ceremony. What is the significance of this gesture in terms of their friendship, as well as in terms of Mosscap’s desire to understand humanity?

The freedom to choose is presented as essentially important for the well-being of characters. Which moments or plot points most strongly emphasize the importance of choice as an enactment of freedom?