Train Dreams

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Structurally, the text jumps between past and present, providing snippets of Grainier’s life. What is the impact of this structure on your reading experience? How does this compare to reading a linear narrative?

2. The novel features a large cast of secondary characters, but most only make fleeting appearances in the novella. Which character, other than Grainier, makes the biggest impact? Why?

3. Denis Johnson is often called one of the greatest American writers of his generation. Based on what you see in Train Dreams, why do you think he garners this praise? Compare this text to works by other prominent American writers like John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath or William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury. What common traits do these novels possess?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Train Dreams explores the tension between societal ideas of progress and civilization and the loss of wilderness. Although it is set over a century ago, how do the concerns raised in the novella reflect or diverge from your own concerns regarding conservation and environmental impact?

2. Grainier’s attempts to deal with his grief and loss are a lifelong struggle. How do you cope with grief and loss in your own life?

3. Trains are a fixture in Grainier’s life and the landscape around him. Reflect on a place you have lived. Are there any aspects of that place that pervaded your experiences enough to become memorable in and of themselves?

4. Memory serves as a vehicle both for repentance and survival for Grainier. Consider the role of memory in your own life. How do recollections of your past influence your thoughts and actions in the present?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Although Train Dreams is set in the early 1900s in the Northwest frontier, its exploration of the effect of industrial progress on the wilderness is still applicable. Discuss how the novella’s examination of this past clash between industry and nature is relevant today.

2. Although Indigenous societies are fundamental to the history, development, and culture of the United States, their cultures and peoples have been maligned, mistreated, and often erased from history. Consider Johnson’s depiction of them on the American frontier and compare this to current US society’s representations. What has changed? What has remained the same?

3. Train Dreams focuses on Robert Grainier, yet the female characters make a lasting impact. Consider some of these women—like Gladys, Kate, the Kootenai women, and Claire Thompson—and explore what Johnson suggests about gender and society.

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Setting often impacts the tone of a narrative. Set in both the Northwest frontier towns and the isolated expanse of wilderness, Train Dreams exudes a gravity that parallels the harsh setting. However, there are brief moments of humor. Why might Johnson do this? Are there any other variations in tone?

2. Instead of writing the narrative in a linear structure, Johnson utilizes a series of flashbacks and flashforwards to add complexity to Grainier’s life and character. How does this structure impact Grainier’s reliability? Is his story believable? Why or why not?

3. Weather can be symbolic, as noted when Grainier experiences intense sexual feelings in the summer of 1935. Locate at least two other descriptions of weather and analyze their significance. In those moments, what might the climate represent?

4. The novella is written in a third-person omniscient point of view. How does this perspective impact the narrative? If Grainier told his own story from a first-person perspective, what would be gained and what would be lost?

5. Grainier grapples with grief, industrialization, and the role of memory during his lifetime. Ultimately, each of these themes contributes to his identity formation. Evaluate several pivotal moments in the narrative that impact Grainier’s sense of self. What is Johnson saying about identity and self with these moments?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine the story from Kate’s perspective. Narrate her life in the aftermath of the fire. Be sure to include an account of the interaction with Grainier in his yard.

2. If this novella were set to music, what genre(s) should accompany the story? Why? Consider not just music that was prevalent at the time, but also current styles that reflect the themes, characterization, and symbolism of the narrative. Are there any particular songs you feel would best convey the mood and tone of the novella?