The Iron Heel

How does the framing device of the found narrative contribute to the novel’s themes of historical memory and authenticity? What do Anthony Meredith’s annotations reveal about how his utopian present regards the past?

How do the trio of narrative voices (Avis, Ernest, and Anthony Meredith) differ from one another in terms of their authority, their perspectives, and their roles as author surrogates? When do their voices support a shared theme, and when do they function at cross-purposes?

The novel depicts various forms of violence from the Oligarchy, the revolutionists, the masses, and other organizations and sects. What fuels these groups to engage in violence, and how do their acts of violence relate to power and ethics?