Discuss the novel’s attitude toward organized religion. Is it a necessary tool for growing one’s faith? How does Eco portray the relationship between religious fraternity and faith in God?

Discuss the psychology of Amparo’s character. Why is she so reticent to engage in Brazil’s syncretic folk tradition? How does this expose the limits of her understanding of political consciousness?

How might the depiction of Abulafia comment on the growing use of artificial intelligence in today’s society? Does Eco encourage it or warn against it?

Does Eco ultimately argue that ignorance is bliss? What are the limitations of his warnings against the quest for knowledge?

How might this novel illuminate ongoing discussions about the place of the humanities in the contemporary curriculum? Should people still pursue fields of study like history and philology or could they sow social harm?

How can one reconcile the distortions of historical truth against Belbo’s experience of communion with a cosmic source of truth? Can truth exist irrespective of subjective truths?

Argue for whether the novel should have been told from Belbo’s perspective, rather than Casaubon. What does Casaubon’s perspective introduce that remains absent from Belbo’s point-of-view?

How does the novel advocate for social and political activism? Is activism futile in the shadow of larger organizational powers, like national governments and warring factions? Why or why not?