The Living

Compare and contrast Addison and Shy. What aspects of their personalities set them apart from each other? Do they have any similarities?

Shoeshine tells Shy, “Names have no meaning out here” (75). Discuss the significance of the book’s various nicknames and titles—Shoeshine, oilman, Shy, the man in the black suit—and contrast them with characters possessing more traditional names.

William Henry gives Shy his diamond ring before he dies, and Shy holds onto it for the remainder of the book. What is the significance of the ring? Why does Shy keep it?

Shy constantly balances between hope and despair during his time on the open ocean. Discuss the significance of Shy’s mental state—his acceptance of death, his determination to persevere—in the context of his survival.

Shy has difficulty drawing lines between friendship and romance, both with Carmen and with Addison. Compare and contrast Shy’s connections with each girl, paying attention to the value placed on friendships versus relationships.

The premier class passengers on the cruise ship are generally described as rich, arrogant, and selfish. Discuss the significance of Shy’s background in contrast with the extravagant and lavish setting of the cruise ship.

Shy is regularly forced to confront his relative insignificance compared to the vast and uncaring ocean and compared to the universe as a whole. What is the significance of underlining this sense of scale?

Discuss the ethics of LasoTech’s practices relative to capitalism, healthcare, and morality. Can they be justified? What real-world correlations can be made?