How does the author portray women? What role do they play in the unfolding of the story? Choose two or three characters to focus on and give examples of their characterization.

How do the events in Fort Repose support Randy’s statements that only the strong will survive? Provide examples and explain.

Choose one character and compare their actions and statements at the beginning of the novel to how they act and think at the end. How have they evolved, and in what ways?