A Bad Man Study Questions & Topics for Discussion

This Study Guide consists of approximately 8 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of A Bad Man.

A Bad Man Study Questions & Topics for Discussion

This Study Guide consists of approximately 8 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of A Bad Man.
This section contains 176 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page)
Buy the A Bad Man Short Guide

Like most early Elkin novels, this one challenges readers to identify with, or consider the fate of, an obsessive protagonist whose values we probably will not share. We might reflect on the ways in which the author causes us to evaluate Feldman and his personal obsession by framing that motif with contrasting characters and obsessions.

1. Does the story of Leo's mad father psychologically justify Leo's obsessive preoccupation with franchising? Does his having had such a family life create sympathy for Leo as a character?

2. Do the characterizations of Leo's wife, Lily, and son, Billy, compound our picture of Feldman as obsessive type? Is he responsible for their character?

3. Can Warden Fisher be explained psychologically? To what degree can psychology account for this character's zeal for the ordinary?

4. At the end of the trial, the Warden agrees to let Feldman's fate stand on his treatment of Dedman...

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This section contains 176 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page)
Buy the A Bad Man Short Guide
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A Bad Man from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.