Elevation: A Novel

What does Scott stand to lose when he makes the Turkey Trot wager with Deirdre? How do these stakes influence his decision? How do they influence his performance in the race?

Missy helps Scott understand what motivates Deirdre, but says less about herself. Based on what is revealed about Missy, what do her choices say about her relationship with Deirdre and about her broader relationship with society?

Consider Scott’s influence on minor characters such as Bull Neck, whom Scott sees “singing and applauding along with everyone else” (116) when Deirdre lights the Christmas Tree in Castle Rock’s town square. What effect do Scott’s choices have on the larger town, outside of his small circle of friends? 

Does Scott display any conscious or unconscious prejudices? How do his attitudes and assumptions influence his relationships as he, and they, transform?

Can Elevation’s lessons about overcoming anti-lesbian biases be applied to other types of prejudice, or prejudice in different types of communities? Why or why not?

What does Elevation have to say about relationships? How does it build on, or detract from, the theory of eternal recurrence and the themes in Milan Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being, as described in the Background section?

What factors make it easier for Scott to do the right thing than it would have been before the story’s dramatic present? What factors make it harder? Why?

Propose a different interpretation for what Scott’s weight loss might represent. Use textual evidence to support your interpretation.