Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty frequently represent freedom and acceptance. How do Dom’s experiences in America reinforce or challenge the stereotypical notion of the “American Dream”?

Gaetano calls Dom the “king of Mulberry Street” (97) for his generosity. How does the novel examine the nature of giving, mutual support, or the importance of communal ties?

Analyze the novel’s treatment of Jewish heritage and identity. What role does religion play in the text? How does it shape Dom’s immigrant experience?

How does The King of Mulberry Street explore the idea of home? How do different characters conceive of what home means? How do Dom’s own ideas change over the course of the narrative?

How does Gaetano change? Consider his characterization at the beginning of the narrative compared to the end. What causes this shift and why? How does his character arc compare to Dom’s?

Dom sometimes mentions his ideas about masculinity and what it means to be a boy in his home culture. How does the novel examine conceptions of masculinity and gender roles?

Compare Dom’s experience with other protagonists who immigrate to the United States, like Esperanza Ortega in Esperanza Rising. How are the two texts different or similar in their treatment of immigration? What key themes and ideas do they share in common?

Examine the importance of setting in the text, considering Napoli, Ellis Island, or Mulberry Street. How are these places characterized? What is the wider significance of each in the novel?