The Treasure of Lemon Brown

Compare and contrast Lemon Brown and Greg’s father. Identify similarities and differences in the men’s personality traits, their relationships with their sons, and the ways that they express their love. Based on these two characters, what central argument does Myers make about The Love Between Fathers and Sons?

Myers uses the storm to represent Greg’s anger. How does this symbol offer insight into the protagonist’s character arc? Consider the literary devices that the author uses to depict the storm and their influence on its meaning as you construct your argument.

In what ways is Lemon Brown’s identity shaped by Music as a Cultural and Personal Legacy? How does he seek to keep his legacy alive? Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.

How does Myers construct Greg’s character arc to illustrate The Importance of Intergenerational Wisdom?

Research key figures in the history of Delta Blues music that emerged in the early 20th century. What similarities can you identify between these historical musicians and the fictional Lemon Brown?

Consider Myers’s use of Lemon Brown’s treasure as a motif in the story. How does he link the treasure to Lemon Brown’s identity and legacy? In what ways does this motif push back against traditional notions of value?

In what sense is the novel’s title ironic? What societal assumptions does this irony stem from, and what does the title reveal about the story’s overall message?

Research the role of music in Harlem’s historical and cultural legacy. How does this context add to the significance of the author’s choice of setting and the narrative’s examination of the theme of music as a legacy?