The novel repeatedly associates “the power of the dog” with both cartel violence and Art Keller’s own actions. How would you reconcile the otherworldly nature of this motif with the culpability of the actors who drive the plot forward? Are they less responsible for their sins because of this power?

Examine Nora Hayden’s character arc through the lens of agency and transactional power. How does she navigate and subvert the expectations of the powerful men around her, from her clients to Adán Barrera and Art Keller, to pursue her own objectives?

Tío Barrera redefines the drug trade by declaring the border itself is the only necessary crop. Analyze how this conceptualization of the border in the context of current discourse on border politics, particularly with regard to US economics and immigration.

Winslow’s narrative style is known for its unflinching realism. Select two key scenes of violence and discuss how Winslow’s detached, factual prose heightens their emotional and thematic impact. Argue whether this level of detail is necessary for driving the novel’s ideas.

The Power of the Dog is often categorized as a crime thriller. Argue for its classification as a work of historical fiction, using specific allusions to real-world events like Operation Condor and the Iran-Contra affair to comment on American foreign policy.

Compare the moral trajectories of Art Keller and Sean Callan, arguing how they function as foils to explore different outcomes of a life defined by violence.

Comment on the role that faith and organized religion plays in facilitating solutions for the novel’s issues. Is Winslow suggesting that faith helps to perpetuate the drug trade or can it be a force for resolution?

Discuss Art and Adán’s relationships with their respective families. How does the impact of the conflict on their family lives underscore their motivations and the true natures of their characters?