52 pages 1 hour read

E. L. Doctorow

The Book of Daniel

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1971

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Essay Topics

1.

How does the non-linear structure of The Book of Daniel complicate the relationship between the past and the present? What do these complications suggest about the nature of revolution and/or trauma?

2.

The novel shows that Daniel is both a victim and a perpetrator of generational trauma. What does Daniel’s dual role as victim and perpetrator reveal about trauma and about how cycles of generational trauma might be broken?

3.

Pick one of the books or authors Daniel or The Book of Daniel alludes to, and explain how that work or author illuminates something about the novel.