54 pages • 1-hour read
Acceleration
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Essay Topics
What is the significance of the title Acceleration? What does it mean in a literal sense and how does it apply to Duncan’s trauma?
Discuss the many forms in which prisons take and how they apply to 2-3 characters.
Why does Duncan’s mother’s opinion matter so much to him? In what ways does their dynamic mirror (or contrast with) that of Roach and his own mother?
Duncan describes himself as a “basket case” in his message to Kim. Why does he see himself in this way?
Why does Duncan enjoy seeing the scratch on the man’s putter? Do you think that the Duncan at the end of the novel would feel the same way? Why or why not?
How does the metaphor of the fish swallowing a hook apply to Duncan? Does the metaphor have anything to do with Duncan’s discomfort with water? Why or why not?
Why does Duncan find the family dinner with the baseball game and defrosted pizza so satisfying? Why do you think the author included this seemingly mundane scene?
Despite doing so in Maya’s honor, in what ways is Duncan’s hunt for Roach selfish?
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