The Life We Bury

Jeremy plays a central role in helping Lila and Joe crack the code of Crystal’s diary—and, subsequently, Carl’s case. Joe suggests that Jeremy’s autism plays a part which, in Jeremy's case, contributes to his adept pattern recognition. Beyond this point, explain the significance of Eskens’s choosing to make Jeremy autistic. Why was this necessary to the novel?

Why does Eskens highlight the play, The Glass Menagerie, and how does it develop Joe’s character in relation to themes of familial obligation, escaping one’s past, and guilt?

Joe puts his experience as a bouncer to use on multiple occasions. Explain the significance of Joe’s character engaging in such a line of work—physically violent yet with an intention of safety—taking into account the physical marks of violence left on characters such as Lila, Jeremy, and Carl.

Choose one instance in which a photograph plays a pivotal role in the narrative (e.g. Crystal’s crime scene photos, the photograph of Carl being arrested, or the photograph of Lila’s rape), and explain its significance within the narrative.

Photos play a large role in the novel, as does the Vietnam War. Examine the link between the narrative’s emphasis on visual imagery and the role that visual imagery, such as Ron Haeberle's images of the My Lai massacre, played in influencing the American public’s opinions on Vietnam. What parallels can be drawn between the impact of photos in the novel and the impact of photos in the context of Vietnam?

Crystal is the novel's primary victim. However, there are at least three similar cases, presumably all committed by Daniel, revealed by the novel’s end. Lila is also a rape victim. There are also at least two instances of rape or near-rape described in Vietnam. What is Eskens’s intent in including other anecdotes of violence against secondary female characters? What does he accomplish through their inclusion?

Choose one character from the novel who has experienced a traumatic event, and track their character development considering this trauma.

Whenever action-packed segments take place, for instance, Joe’s fleeing Douglas or racing to meet Lila and Daniel, the novel’s chapters tend to become shorter. What purpose does this serve?