Josephine experiences sound-color synesthesia throughout the novel, meaning that she sees colors whenever she hears sounds. Analyze at least three to four examples of her color associations and delve more deeply into the emotional details that such associations evoke.

Slocumb describes music as a blueprint for an emotional experience. How are musical and emotional connections formed—or changed—for Josephine and Bern? Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

Research the musical achievements of the earlier time period featured in the novel (1936-2023). How have white musical artists stolen from Black musical artists over the years?

Why does Slocumb choose to leave some aspects of Josephine’s life a mystery, such as her relationship with Howard? What effects does this choice have on the perception of her character and the overall narrative?

How do Slocumb’s structural elements, such as his decision to use musical labels such as “acts” and “scherzos”, impact the content of the novel? How would you compare and contrast the novel’s events with the grand narrative of a typical opera?

Why does Slocumb refrain from writing a chapter from Eboni’s point of view? The final chapter does not have a subtitle indicating which point of view it is from. Could this be her chapter? Why or why not?

How does knowing information about an artist change the perception of their art? Use specific examples from the novel to support your response.

Is a working knowledge of musical theory necessary to fully appreciate the nuances of the novel? How does the reader’s experience with music theory, or the lack thereof, impact their understanding of the novel?