Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Sky's End by Marc J Gregson

Book Club Discussion Questions

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Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Conrad's father died when he was ten. Explain what Conrad means when he says, "I refuse to be my father, but half of him is me" (p. 1). Discuss how Conrad represents the essence of his mother and father. How is this evident as he deals with the challenge of succeeding in the Trade of Hunter?
2. Common conflicts in stories include: Character vs. Self, Character vs. Character; Character vs. Society, and Character vs. Nature. Explain how each type of conflict is present in Sky's End. Cite specific evidence to support your thoughts.
3. Theme is the central and unifying idea. What is the main theme of this novel? Identify other themes that support the central one. How is the central theme carried out from the beginning to the end of the novel? Fantasy is said to reveal the truths of the human condition. What is revealed about the human condition through Conrad's character?
4. Discuss Uncle's offer to Conrad. Why won't Conrad accept the offer? Uncle demands that Conrad enter the Selection. Discuss Selection Day. Identify the Trades and discuss their purpose in the Skylands' society. Which Trade is Conrad's choice? What is his reaction when he receives Hunter?
5. Figurative language is used throughout the novel to create certain images in the mind of the reader. Explain the following simile: "Entire neighborhoods are missing. Flattened. Pillars of wood rise from the earth like the ribs of a corpse" (p. 27). Find other examples of simile in the novel.
6. Conrad is sent to Venator, Hunter's island, to be trained. Describe his training. How and why is socializing part of the training? Why is Conrad reluctant to socialize with the other trainees? Which of the trainees is Conrad's best ally? How does he convince Conrad that he must do more than study?
7. Discuss the basis of Conrad's guilt when his mother dies. How was he devoted to her? What is symbolic about the items Conrad finds in his mother's wooden box? Discuss why Conrad takes his mother's last name and becomes Conrad of Elise.
8. Why is there so much bad blood between Conrad and Pound? Pound becomes Captain and assigns Conrad Swabbie, the lowest job. Explain why Pound eventually loses his job. What happens when Conrad becomes Captain? How does he treat Pound? Discuss Conrad's leadership style. Explain why Master Koko believes that Conrad is Master material.
9. Describe the Skylands. The Four Pillars of Meritocracy are Select, High, Middle, and Low. Explain how Conrad and his mother go from High to Low. Why did Uncle take Ella, Conrad's little sister? Discuss why Conrad is determined to rescue her. How does he locate her at the end of the novel? What is Ella's reaction to her brother?
10. How does Bryce betray Conrad? What does he learn from this betrayal? Uncle thinks that Conrad is getting too close to Bryce. Explain what Uncle means when he says, "Once a traitor, always a traitor" (p. 378). Discuss Conrad's reaction to this comment.

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Peachtree Publishers. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.