Discuss persistence. How is persistence a theme in this book? How are the various characters persistent? What is their motivation to continue working? Why is persistence often an important quality to have? How can persistence also be hurtful?

Describe the workers in this book. How does their membership in the various guilds both help and hurt them? Why do the workers go on strike? Would you, if you were one of them? Why or why not? How does Brunelleschi help his workers? What is his motivation for these actions? How do you know this?

Describe the architecture found in this book. Compare and contrast it to architecture of today. Are you impressed by these structures? Why or why not? Do you believe one must be a genius to create structures and inventions such as the ones in this book? Why or why not?

Discuss...