Discuss what is meant by "Gonzo journalism."

Give some possible interpretationsof the "American Dream." Are any of these realized by Thompson?

Compare and contrast the hitchhiker and Lucy, the runaway artist. What do each of them say about innocence and the corruptive nature of society?

Discuss some of the specific references in Fear and Loathing in terms of the context of the book, such as Horatio Alger, Muhammad Ali, Surrealistic Pillow, or Timothy Leary.

Discuss the place of violence (for example, drug related violence, the Vietnam War, etc.) in Fear and Loathing. How does external violence influence Thompson's internal state?

List the characteristics of "the Great Red Shark" and "the White Whale." What do each of these reflect about American culture?

How reliable a witness is Thompson? Given his constant drug use, how valuable are his perceptions?