When We Cease to Understand the World

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

Why do you think Labatut chose to use both nonfiction and fiction literary elements in When We Cease to Understand the World? How does this structure relate to the themes of the book?

What is the relationship between religion and scientific discovery in the book?

Read up on some of the historical events Labatut used for inspiration, such as the July 1926 Munich conference where Heisenberg confronts Schrödinger. Then compare your findings with the events in When We Cease to Understand the World. What are the key similarities and differences? How do these events relate to the book’s major themes?