Shift

Senator Paul Thurman tells Donald during their first meeting in Washington, DC, that it’s important to deny truth and lies equally. What does Thurman mean by this? How does he use this skill to manipulate Donald? Was Thurman ever honest with him? If so, when and how?

The fall of Silo 12 devastates Troy. Why? What does he believe caused the unrest in Silo 12? How does he handle this unrest? Why does he feel guilty for following The Order, and why does the situation in Silo 12 inspire him to stop taking the blue pills?

Mission Jones expresses both anger and nostalgia when he thinks about the farms and visiting his father. Why are Mission’s emotions conflicted regarding his family? Has Mission’s father done something to earn Mission’s anger? What does Mission’s unhappiness stem from?

Mrs. Crowe tells her students about the world before the nuclear strike. How does she know these stories? What could explain her advanced age and knowledge? How do her stories create unrest in Silo 18? What does she hope will result from teaching these stories to the youth of Silo 18? Why?

Jimmy Parker exemplifies the novel’s theme of The Fight for Survival. How does Jimmy survive? What skills did he have before his father left him alone? How did he learn the things he needed to survive? How does Jimmy’s fight for survival resemble that of all the silo survivors? How does it differ?

What is the purpose of exchanging Donald’s cryopod with Thurman’s? Why did the men in Silo 1 think Donald was Thurman? How did this give Donald new powers? How does he use these powers, and how could he have used them differently?

Compare and contrast Anna Thurman with Senator Paul Thurman. How does she manipulate Donald? How are her actions similar to her father’s? Is Anna as guilty as Thurman in her actions? Explain, citing the text in your response.

Compare and contrast Donald with Thurman. How are their intentions similar or different? How are their methods similar or different? Whose motives are purer? Why? Cite the text in your answer.