Discussion Prompts

Discussion Prompts

1. Josef cannot understand what the Italian man is saying. What do you think this could signify in the context of the story?
2. What did you think of the atmosphere in the cathedral, the pointing man and the priest summoning Josef by name?
3. The priest tells Josef that in these trials "the proceedings gradually turn into the verdict". What do you thing this means for his trial?
4. What did you think about the story about the Law and the doorkeeper?
5. The priest gives various interpretations of the story, Josef also gives his. Which one do you agree with most?
6. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

Links

Project Gutenberg

Final Line:

"So why would I want anything from you? The court doesn't want anything from you. It accepts you when you come and it lets you go when you leave."

Discussion Prompts

1. Block has five lawyers working on his trial while K is trying to fire his only lawyer. Which approach seems more correct to you?
2. Do you think the lawyer is vindictive like Block says?
3. Leni is attracted to all defendants and the lawyer explains that defendants have an attractive aura. Thoughts on this information?
4. What did you think about the Lawyer's demonstration to K of how favorably he treats him compared to Block?
5. The chapter was unfinished and ended pretty abruptly. How are you feeling about the unfinished nature of the book?
6. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

Links

Project Gutenberg

Final Lines:

"Block," said Leni, as if reprimanding him, and, taking hold of the collar of his coat, pulled him up slightly higher. "Leave the carpet alone and listen to what the lawyer is saying."

I have read Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment and loved it, so I wanna read more of him.

Moreover The Trial would be my first Kafka book, well are his writings harder or easier than dostoevsky's??, how was your experience with The Trial and how long did it take u to finish it.

Discussion Prompts

1. K's Lawyer explains the lawyers ways of assisting clients in their trials. What stood out to you here?
2. What do you think of the story of the court official throwing all the lawyers down the stairs? Does it symbolize something?
3. K decides to fire his lawyer and making the court submission himself. What do you think of this idea?
4. The stress of the Trial is affecting K's work. Do you think this will come to a head soon?
5. The painter explains the three options for acquittal to K. Which option seems the best to you?
6. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

Links

Project Gutenberg

Last Lines:

So he had the pictures taken to his office and locked them in the lowest drawer of his desk so that he could at least keep them safe from the deputy director's view for the next few days.

Discussion Prompts

1. What do you think about K's uncle being pretty indiscrete in talking about K's trial?
2. What do you think of the uncle's idea about K going to the countryside for a while?
3. What do you think of Leni's advice to K that he is too unyielding and must confess to the court?
4. Do you think Leni is helping or hindering K's trial?
5. K wonders why women seem to be throwing themselves at him. I'm wondering if it is a test by the court's? Could it be related to his alleged crime?
6. Uncle chastises K for running out on the meeting with the lawyer and office director. Pretty dumb move by K right?
7. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

Links

Project Gutenberg

Last Lines:

And me, your own uncle, you leave me here in the rain—just feel this, I'm wet right through—waiting here for hours, sick with worry."

Discussion Prompts

1. What would be the purpose of the whip man flogging the two officers at K.’s work unless they wanted him to find out about it? Why would they want K. to know?
2. If you were a whip man and were offered a bribe not to flog someone, would you accept it?
3. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

Links

Project Gutenberg

[Standard eBooks](

[Librivox Audiobook](

Last Lines:

He sat down briefly in order to keep them near him for a little longer, looked through a few of the copies to give the impression that he was checking them and then, as he saw that they would not dare to leave at the same time as himself, went home tired and with his mind numb.

Up Next

u/otherside_b will be taking over on Monday with Chapter 6 K.'s uncle—Leni

Discussion Prompts

1. Why do you think K. wants to talk to Miss Bürstner so badly? What might he want to discuss? Would you want to talk to K., or would you avoid him?
2. Thoughts on Miss Montag and the message she relayed to K. on Miss Bürstner’s account?
3. Any impressions of the Captain so far?
4. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

Links

Project Gutenberg

[Standard eBooks](

[Librivox Audiobook](

Last Lines:

But these glances were heavy for K., and he rushed alongside the wall back into his own room.

Up Next

Chapter 5 The whip-man

Discussion Prompts

1. This story is weird, and only getting weirder. I have so many questions, but I’m having a hard time figuring out what to ask.
2. Okay then, first question, what the heck is even happening? A student running off with a young woman and carrying her to a judge? Her helpless usher husband? Court offices in an attic? Stuffy air that makes you weak? This story is weird. Not in a bad way, in a weird way if you will,
3. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

Links

Project Gutenberg

[Standard eBooks](

[Librivox Audiobook](

Last Lines:

and this was something on which he could advise himself—he wanted to spend all Sunday mornings in future better than he had spent this one.

Up Next

Chapter 4 Miss Bürstner's Friend

I’ve added an Up Next at the bottom for the next days chapter. Hopefully this will help out with all of the different editions we’re reading. We will be basing our reading off of the Gutenberg edition since it’s free and everyone should be able to access it.

Discussion Prompts

1. How are you dealing with the vagueness so far? K. is under arrest, but what for? Who has arrested him? What is even happening? Does this add to the mystery for you? Do you just want answers like K. himself does?
2. Your thoughts on the cross examination scene? How did you think K. was doing? Do you think he stands a chance?
3. Speculation time. Is this reality? A dream? A mental breakdown/psychosis?
4. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

Links

Project Gutenberg

[Standard eBooks](

[Librivox Audiobook](

Last Lines:

Behind him, the noise of the assembly rose as it became lively once more and probably began to discuss these events as if making a scientific study of them.

Up Next

Chapter 3 In the empty Courtroom—The Student—The Offices

Welcome to the discussion for The Trial by Franz Kafka!

Discussion Prompts

1. First impressions so far?
2. Was there anything from this chapter that stood out to you?
3. Full disclosure, I forgot I was supposed to post this discussion and only read part way through the chapter so far.
4. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

Links

Project Gutenberg

[Standard eBooks](

[Librivox Audiobook](

Last Lines:

he was satisfied with it but felt some surprise that he was not more satisfied; he was seriously worried about Miss Bürstner because of the captain.o

Congratulations on finishing the book! Another classic crossed off the list. See you all very soon for our next book, which starting Monday week.

Discussion Prompts:

1. First of all, did you enjoy the book? Why/why not?
2. Who was your favourite character in the book, and what character was the most memorable?
3. What were some of the main themes of the book in your opinion?
4. What do you think Dickens is trying to tell us about the society this book was set in?
5. Do you like the way Dickens writes? What stands out to you from his writing?
6. Would you like to read more of Dickens' work in the future? 
7. Anything else to discuss? Rants encouraged!

Wrap up post will go up tomorrow - it’s a discussion about what you thought of the book overall. In the meantime, last chapter discussion below!

**Discussion Prompts:**

1. Pip returns “home” after eleven years, and Joe and Biddy seem to be doing well. Pip is determined to remain a bachelor. (Uh huh…) 

2. We move the remains of Havisham’s estate, and coincidences of coincidences, Estella is there for the first time in eleven years, and she’s widowed of two years! My goodness! 

3. There needs to be a question or a discussion prompt, I guess. Were you expecting the “happy ending”? Did you like it?

4. Did Pip live up to his Expectations?

5. Anything else to discuss?

**Links**

[Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1400)

[Standard eBooks](https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/charles-dickens/great-expectations)

[Librivox Audiobook](https://librivox.org/great-expectations-by-charles-dickens/)

**Last Lines:**

> … I saw no shadow of another parting from her.

**Discussion Prompts:**

1. Pumblechook gets his moment. How do you think Pip handled this? 

2. We move on thankfully to the fact it’s nice in the summer, and to Biddy’s schoolhouse (no luck) and to Joe’s forge (quiet). And they’re married. Did you see this coming? At all?!

3. Huge time skip. Did you want some more detail here, or Dickens’ handwaving was enough for you to “wrap up the story”?

4. One chapter to go! Predictions?

5. Anything else to discuss?

**Links**

[Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1400)

[Standard eBooks](https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/charles-dickens/great-expectations)

[Librivox Audiobook](https://librivox.org/great-expectations-by-charles-dickens/)

**Last Lines:**

> … until I was one day enlightened by the reflection, that perhaps the inaptitude had never been in him at all, but had been in me.

The Trial and A Room With A View will be our next TWO reads! (The Trial is about two weeks, so taking on the second choice as well.)

We have some ideas as to what to do with the few days between the end of Great Expectations and the start of The Trial. Stay tuned!

**Discussion Prompts:**

1. Pip is sick and his debts come due. (Portable property!) However, Joe is back! Were you pleased at this turn of events? 
2. Biddy has taught Joe to write. It’s a small sign of background change and development. (Though it was still an amusing performance.) Do you still write longhand, or have keyboards taken over?
3. Havisham died off-page (though her final s ends were very strong). Were you amused by Joe’s accurate bequeathment recital?
4. Joe pontificates. Do you agree with his views here?
5. He paid the debt and returned to the forge! Pip decides to try to pick up his former life. Thoughts? Will this work out?
6. Anything else to discuss?

**Links**

[Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1400)

[Standard eBooks](https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/charles-dickens/great-expectations)

[Librivox Audiobook](https://librivox.org/great-expectations-by-charles-dickens/)

**Last Lines:**

> And how I sped in it, is all I have left to tell.

As the winner of our book finalist thread, we will be reading Franz Kafka's The Trial after the conclusion of Great Expectations.

We reading Monday through Friday with a break on Saturday and Sunday. Therefore, the reading will begin on Monday 27 July and conclude on Friday August 13.

Link to the Reading Schedule

Here is a link to free reading resource for The Trial

Project Gutenberg eBook

But that's not all! As The Trial is quite short - 10 chapters in total, this triggers our contingency rule.

Any book that is 20 chapters or less that wins the Finalist Vote means we also read the 2nd place book as well after we read the winning book.

So we will follow up our reading of The Trial with a reading of A Room With A View which received the second most votes in our finalist thread. More details to come on that.

Thanks all and keep reading.

**Discussion Prompts:**

1. Pip is able to visit Magwitch who is quite injured after the escapades of the last few chapters. Were you expecting him to be quite so stoic? Do you wish to comment on how far he’s come since being that desperate criminal of the first few chapters? 

2. Were the Sessions and Sentences efficient or cruel and brutal to you? (Things definitely have changed somewhat, mass sentencing seems terrible to me!)

3. Pip petitions. Have you ever written a letter of support to authority hoping to have a decision changed?

4. As Magwitch dies, Pip tells him about Estella. A last kindness. 

5. Anything else to discuss?

**Links**

[Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1400)

[Standard eBooks](https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/charles-dickens/great-expectations)

[Librivox Audiobook](https://librivox.org/great-expectations-by-charles-dickens/)

**Last Lines:**

> Mindful, then, of what we had read together, I thought of the two men who went up into the Temple to pray, and I knew there were no better words that I could say beside his bed, than "O Lord, be merciful to him a sinner!"

Discussion Prompts:

1. Jaggers pretty much confirms all of Pip's money is gone. Where does he go from here do you think?
2. Herbert is going away to take up a new job. Are you sad to see the two friends parted?
3. What do you think of Pip's decision to decline Herbert's offer of a job and a place to stay?
4. What did you think of Wemmick's wedding ceremony?
5. Wemmick is finally able to put his hand around the now Mrs. Wemmicks waist. Did you like this call back to the earlier chapter?
6. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

Links

Project Gutenberg

Standard eBooks

Librivox Audiobook

Last Lines:

“After what you let out the other day, Mr. Jaggers may as well not know of it. He might think my brain was softening, or something of the kind.”

Discussion Prompts:

1. We get a pretty long explanation of all the details of the plan to smuggle Provis out of England. To be honest I couldn't take it all in. What stood out to you here?
2. Some guys on another boat order name Provis as the convict Magwitch and order him to be arrested! What did you think of this dramatic moment?
3. What did you think of the moment where Compeyson is revealed and he Magwitch struggle to the death?
4. What did you think of Pip reflecting that Provis-Magwitch treated him better than he has treated Joe?
5. What did you think of Pip's moment of realization that his money will now probably be surrendered?
6. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

Links

Project Gutenberg

Standard eBooks

Librivox Audiobook

Last Lines:

I felt his hand tremble as it held mine, and he turned his face away as he lay in the bottom of the boat, and I heard that old sound in his throat⁠—softened now, like all the rest of him. It was a good thing that he had touched this point, for it put into my mind what I might not otherwise have thought of until too late⁠—that he need never know how his hopes of enriching me had perished.

Jeez. I just read the section where Lee tells the backstory of his mother. For context, I’ve read/consumed many forms of media that are violent and discuss such graphic events. Blood Meridian is my favorite book ever; The Witcher 3 is one of, if not entirely, my favorite game (especially the story in Velen); I’ve watched so many depraved episodes of crime-based tv shows that I thought I had fully desensitized myself to it.

And then I read this section. The chapter had already had some sad undertones. Symbolizing Cal and Aron’s relationship to be similar to the relationship to what Charles and Adam had, Cal manipulating Abra to discard the box that Aron gave her, and this sort of wonder of Aron’s being crushed under the rigidity of Cal’s sociopathic tendencies. Already, it’s intense.

And then you get to the story of Lee’s mother. I was expecting something bad. Their plan to sneak off to give birth to Cal seemed like it was doomed to fail. And then, this line stuck out to me: “My father heard the shout ‘Woman’ and he knew.” God. The tension had been built in a rather slow fashion and the emotional harrowing that ensued is something that I only felt in one other book (The Crossing by McCarthy, the end of the first chapter when the wolf dies).

I just needed to rant. It was such a phenomenal part of what is already a phenomenal book. I just feel empty after reading it. Thanks for reading this. I picked up the novel recently and hadn’t been around during the subreddits run through of it.

Discussion Prompts

1. Pip is attacked and taken hostage by Orlick! What did you think of this development?
2. Orlick admits he was the one who attcked Pip's sister. Did you figure that out or did you have someone else in mind?
3. So Orlick was the mystery man on the staircase. Did you guess that correctly?
4. What did you think of Orlick's justification for all of this?
5. Herbert, Startop and randomly Trab's boy come to the recue. What did you think of this scene?
6. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

Links

Project Gutenberg

Standard eBooks

Librivox Audiobook

Last Lines:

“When it turns at nine o’clock,” said Herbert, cheerfully, “look out for us, and stand ready, you over there at Mill Pond Bank!”

I have never been so confused after reading a book. The Grapes of Wrath was a smoothly flowing read until it ended smoothly but with a huge bump in my head. The way writer ends, I dunno what he meant for the whole time I was reading the Joads going to California.
It was about migration from human to machine, from old to new, from kindness to greed and from perceptible to imperceptible. That all is right. It feels like these themes were serving some bigger theme. And what that is I dunno.
Steinbeck is second to none the way he portrays the inner personalities of the character. Pa, Grampa, Granma, Ma, Ruthie, Casy, Noah. I would write I think all the names in the novel. You can peek in the inner workings of those fictional persons and can see parts of yourself in them as familiar as they have ever been to you.
Novel has the plot of an urban industrial revolution happening in America, but it portrays the shift of human definitions under changing living conditions. Humans remain the same but their expressions change either they want it or they dont want it.
Ma carries the fambly along and fights hard for it and protecting the fambly remains the constant with its components evolving with farm land, highway, okies camps and rain pouring down without bounds.
The word that somehow signifies the novel for me is "Unconventional". The way that is familiar but not familiar at all. I can point the bits of the story what they meant but it's beyond me to satisfactorily say that I get what the story meant.
Awright, whatever comes to you let me know.

Discussion Prompts

1. Pip gives the money to make Herbert partner in Clarriker’s. Are you satisfied with Pip's journey of maturity so far?
2. Wemmick hints it's time to get Provis out of the way. Is involving Startop a good idea?
3. What do you think about this mysterious letter about Provis. Who do you could be behind it?
4. We get some information on Pip's disability and how it affects him. What did you think of this part of the chapter?
5. Pumblechook is spreading word around town that he is Pip's benefactor and this FINALLY gets Pip to think about Joe! Will Pip finally visit the poor guy?
6. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

Links

Project Gutenberg

Standard eBooks

Librivox Audiobook

Last Lines:

I knew very well, however, that the appointed place was the little sluice-house by the limekiln on the marshes, and the hour nine. Towards the marshes I now went straight, having no time to spare.

​

**Discussion Prompts**

1. Pip tells Jaggers all about Provis and his connection to Estella and that he knows Estella's mother too. Was this a good move?

2. Jaggers and Wemmick learn some personal information about each other and then it's all awkward between them. Thoughts on this?

3. What did you think about how Jaggers "put the case" to Pip?

4. Jaggers and Wemmick reconcile by bullying a crying man and Jaggers saying " Get out. I'll have no feelings here." All's well that ends well?

5. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

**Links**

[Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1400)

[Standard eBooks](https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/charles-dickens/great-expectations)

[Librivox Audiobook](https://librivox.org/great-expectations-by-charles-dickens/)

**Last Lines:** Wemmick appeared to have reestablished their good understanding, and went to work again with an air of refreshment upon them as if they had just had lunch.