American Rust: A Novel

Meyer extensively uses stream-of-consciousness narration. Explain the technique. What does it add to the narrative? How would the story be different without it?

In many ways, the Mon Valley is a character unto itself. How does the setting function as a secondary character? What emotions does it evoke? How does it affect the other characters?

Meyer is not objective about capitalism, painting it as capricious cruelty. What do his characters have to say about the arbitrary nature of free enterprise?

Harris bends the law according to his own moral compass. How is this advantageous? What are the potential problems with this kind of flexibility? What are some examples of both advantages and disadvantages?

Meyer establishes a thematic conflict between industry and nature. What are some examples of this conflict? How do the characters see it play out daily?

Poe has misgivings about taking the fall for Isaac, yet he does it anyway. What are his reasons? Do those reasons go beyond simple friendship?

Grace argues that “dignity [is] life” (155). How does that loss of dignity affect each character specifically? Why is dignity so inextricably tied to work?

In the end, Isaac and Poe are both off the hook for killing an unarmed man, and two other men, by no means innocent victims, are also dead. What do these events suggest about the complicated morality of justice?