Assassin's Apprentice

Prince Chivalry never appears directly on the page, yet he “haunts the narrative,” affecting every major character (at least within the Farseer family) in some way. Pick two characters who have been affected by Chivalry’s life and/or death and compare how he resonates through their lives. What does this reveal about Chivalry as a person, and what does it reveal about those characters as individuals?

How does the setting of Assassin’s Apprentice impact the plot and development of Fitz as a character? What does the setting of the keep and the surrounding landscape tell us about the world as a whole? Consider the larger world building at work in the novel, as well as the micro-settings, in your answer.

Analyze the role of the animals in the novel. Are the animal characters within the book actual characters with individuality, or do they function more as extensions of Fitz? Regardless of your answer, what does this reveal about Fitz and the Wit?

What role does gender—particularly, the role of women—play in the novel? Although Hobb emphasizes that the line of succession does not consider gender, all the princes are male; how would the novel differ if one of the princes had been a princess? How does the genderfluid Fool affect this world?

Consider Fitz and Burrich’s relationship throughout the novel. Does Burrich truly love Fitz (as a son or as a friend), or does he love Fitz only for what he can be? What benefits or detriment does their relationship bring to each of them? Would they be better off separated from one another, or do they need to repair their relationship to bring them peace?

Discuss the role of Patience in the novel. She is a unique character from the rest; she is considered “odd,” has intense interests, and struggles with social cues and understanding the feelings of others. Why is this important to the novel and to the setting and character web of the royal family? Why is her presence and their relationship important to Fitz?

What do the Forged ones symbolize within the story? How do they build and complicate the novel’s exploration of human connection and isolation? What do they say about the true strength of a kingdom in a story centered on the complex machinations of a royal family?

Trace Molly’s development throughout the story from a child to an adult woman, considering her described appearance and changing names in your analysis. Compare Molly’s development to Fitz’s. In what ways does Molly become an adult and Fitz does not? In what ways does Fitz grow that Molly does not?