Dust

How have the silos destroyed cultural, racial, religious, and gender diversity? Is it significant that the silos are a US construction? Why or why not?

Discuss the stylistic and linguistic differences between the novel’s narrators—Juliette, Charlotte, Elise, Donald, Darcy, and Jimmy. What rhetorical devices does Howey use to keep their voices and perspectives distinct?

Dust features women protagonists with agency and power, yet the silo system is not free from gender bias. How does the concept of patriarchy affect the silos?

Is the novel’s ending happy? Analyze how the novel foreshadows ambiguity of the settlers’ future. What positive and negative indicators are there?

How does the novel use character death—for instance, that of Shirly, Lukas, Marcus, or Darcy—to propel themes and plot?

Explore the novel’s interest in the degradation that human bodies encounter. How does Howey use violence? How do scenes like Donald’s beating, the unanesthetized birth control device removal, and Charlotte’s elevator fit into the novel’s genre?

How does Dust engage with and define moral behavior? Are any characters in the story heroes and villains, or are they simply protagonists and antagonists? Use specific character analysis in your response.

The fear of the unknown drives many characters. Choose two characters and compare and contrast how they respond to the unknown. How do their behaviors drive or inhibit the plot or each other?