In what ways does shooting George the Waiter change the course of Nick’s life?

How does the structure of the novel affect the portrayal of Nick’s malaise?

Klara changes her name twice over the course of her life. What do these changes signify?

Literary Area of Study

American Literature

Fiction

Historical Fiction

Awards

National Book Awards Winners & Finalists

National Book Critics Circle Award Winners & Finalists

Pulitzer Prize Fiction Awardees & Honorees

Don DeLillo

Adult

Novel

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Underworld reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Underworld

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Underworld and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Underworld Summary and Study Guide

Background

Underworld Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: "Long Tall Sally: Spring-Summer 1992”

Prologue-Interlude 1

Underworld Prologue-Interlude 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: "Elegy for Left Hand Alone: Mid-1980s-Early 1990s”

Part 2 Underworld Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “The Cloud of Unknowing: Spring 1978”

Part 3-Interlude 2

Underworld Part 3-Interlude 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Cocksucker Blues: Summer 1974”

Part 4 Underworld Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Better Things for Better Living Through Chemistry: Selected Fragments Public and Private in the 1950s and 1960s”

Part 5-Interlude 3

Underworld Part 5-Interlude 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 6: “Arrangement in Gray and Black: Fall 1951-1952”

Part 6-Epilogue

Underworld Part 6-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Underworld Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Underworld Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Underworld Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Underworld Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Underworld Essay Topics

Underworld

Essay Topics

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