Heroes

Using examples from the text, discuss the ways Ginny and Brooks contribute to the novel in terms of plot, the development of other characters, and thematic messaging.

What does the epigraph attributed to President Roosevelt: “We must be the great arsenal of democracy” mean? Why does Frank decide this is a fitting inspiration for the name of his and Stanley’s superhero character?

Using examples from the text, discuss the importance and meaning of comic book references in the novel. Would the novel have the same meaning or impact without these references, why/why not?

Consider Mrs. Summers’s decision to bury her family heirlooms. What does this action say about her fears and understanding of American identity? Are her fears justified? Why/why not?

What is the potential value of writing or reading a story about the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack in 2024? Draw upon examples from the text and contemporary issues to explain.

What does the novel have to say about racism and American identity? In what ways does it alter, complicate, or contribute to your understanding of racial identity in America?

In what ways do the three major themes influence and interact with each other? Are some themes more interconnected than others? Explain using examples from the text.

In Chapter 44, Frank argues that “when it feels like the world is ending and nobody cares, somebody who makes comics—who makes anything creative—is a kind of hero” (217). What does he mean by this statement? What are other examples in the novel of finding joy within horror?