60 pages • 2 hours read
Dan EganThe Death and Life of the Great Lakes
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2017A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Throughout the book, Egan interweaves stories of personal connections to the Great Lakes and/or fishing—including his own memories. What purpose do these personal anecdotes serve in the book? Use three to four examples to support your argument.
The title of the book The Death and Life of the Great Lakes includes the words “death” and “life.” Why was it important for Egan to include both of these words when titling his book? Use specific examples to support your argument.
Egan frequently includes descriptions of the characters he interviews, such as physical appearance, dress and unusual behavior or mannerisms. What purpose do these extra details serve in the book? Use examples to support your argument.
Egan occasionally delves into a first-person point of view, which is not uncommon in the form of literary journalism that Egan employs. What purpose do these insertions of first-person perspective serve in the book? Use three to four examples to support your claim.
“Tragedy of the commons” is a term used to describe a situation where individuals act in their own self-interests to the detriment of the common good. How does “tragedy of the commons” lead key actors in government, industry (i.e. fishing, transportation, and agriculture), and science to ignore warning signs of danger to the Great Lakes? Use examples to support your claim.
In his book, Egan makes some subtle (and not-so-subtle) references about the cost of human arrogance and unchecked scientific experimentation. What point is Egan making about human short-sightedness with regard to the Great Lakes? Cite examples to support your claim.
This book contains highly technical scientific terms and data. What literary techniques does Egan use to break down these concepts for the reader? Use at least three to four examples to make your case.
One of the book’s themes is that geopolitical, economic, and scientific interests often conflict with each other. How do these competing interests affect collective action to solve the many problems facing the Great Lakes? Pick two specific issues concerning the Great Lakes and cite specific quotations, anecdotes, and data to support your claim.
Egan offers research-backed solutions to many of the problems facing the Great Lakes. Name one problem that Egan illuminates, as well as the associated solutions—and challenges to those solutions—that he offers to remedy the situation. Use specific quotations, anecdotes, and data from the book to support your argument.
