Earth Abides is not procedural in nature. It does not concern itself with the origins or the biological mechanisms of the plague. How would the tone of the narrative change if Stewart chose to focus on these elements?

The novel discusses the intricacies of population fluctuations—the causes and results of overgrowth, disease, and predation. What is the narrative effect of this very clinical exposition?

Stewart suggests that rituals and traditions are crucial to the cohesion of any society, even very small ones. What are some examples of rituals that the Tribe establishes? What solace do they get from them?