Compare and contrast the relationships of Oliver and his father, and Jenny and her father. What are the differences? What are the similarities? How are these relationships important to the plot?

Compare the parental relationships with that of Oliver and Jenny. How does Oliver's relationship with his father affect Oliver and Jenny's relationship? Would Oliver have married Jenny if not for his feeling of competition with his father? What about Phil? How does Phil affect their marriage? How is it different from Oliver's father's impact on their marriage?

Discuss money. Is money a major theme of this novel? What is the impact of Oliver's wealth on the story? What is the impact of Oliver losing his money? Does Oliver learn anything about the importance of wealth at the end of the story?

Discuss the themes of this novel. Besides the themes already mentioned, how...