1. Research the Jewish culture and religion and write about your findings regarding the religious beliefs, rituals, diet, etc. of this culture.

2. Research the Great Depression of the 1930s. What was life like then? How did people get by? How was life in Brooklyn in particular during this time?

3. Many people immigrated into the United States from all over. How was life for them once they reached American soil? Why did they come to America? How did they get here?

4. What is the American Dream? Do you believe many people in America are living this dream? How do people reach that goal? What are some of the positive and negative consequences of reaching this goal?

5. How does Malamud maintain the mood of his novel from beginning to end? Do any of his other novels present such a bleak outlook for his...