Characterization
Symbols/ Motifs
Style
Historical Content
Intertextuality
100
Who is the narrator and protagonist of the novel?
Andy
100
What does Palm springs symbolize in the novel? New life, healing and a resort city.
New life, healing and a resort city.
100
What is the purpose of the titles beginning each chapter instead of numbers?
They give insight into what will happen within the chapter.
100
Do the characters value the American Dream?
They do not believe in the American Dream as many citizens do during the 1980s.
100
What is the time period of Generation X and Bright Lights Big City and how does the time affect the characters actions?
The time period is during the 1980s and it forced the characters to live in a very fast paced lifestyle which resulted in isolation between characters and unregulated activity.
200
What character is most resistant to facing the truth about himself?
Dag
200
Why did the characters tell stories and what do the stories symbolize? To express their feelings and experiences through unrelated issues.
To express their feelings and experiences through unrelated issues. The stories symbolize the struggles in their everyday life without showing complete vulnerability
200
Why are there so many chapters in the book even though it is relatively short?
Each chapter is a story from the characters lives and the book follows them through their experiences.
200
The novel points out several times how if marriage doesn’t work, people can always get divorced. What does this say about divorce in 1980s society?
Divorce in the 80s was constantly rising and began to be acceptable in society.
200
In The Breakfast Club like Generation X, how do the characters reveal their feelings?
They express their feelings and emotions through stories of their past.
300
How do the characters open up to each other throughout the book?
Through storytelling
300
What does the sun represent?
New life and hope for the characters
300
Why is the story only told from one perspective?
It offers a first hand, observed version of what is happening with the characters.
300
Tobias was a character in generation x who stood out for his success, what 80’s term do the characters throughout the story use to refer to Tobias?
Tobias is considered a Yuppie
300
Compared to Aliens, do any of the characters feel isolated from society?
Out of all the characters, none feel the same isolation that the characters in Aliens experience on a day to day basis.
400
Which character is the only one who doesn't tell the truth in their stories?
Andy
400
What do the characters consider nostalgia to be?
A weapon
400
Why is the novel mostly told in stories from the different characters?
The purpose is to give different opinions and experiences on what is happening around them.
400
Claire is a representation of women and empowerment ideals during the 80s, what term is she referred to as?
A Feminist
400
How do Andy’s parents compare to Clay’s parents in Bright Lights, Big City?
Clay’s parents exemplified the yuppie persona during the 1980s. Andy’s parents were also focused on success but not to the same extent of Clay’s parents.
500
Who is the "yuppie" figure in the novel?
Tobias
500
Materialism vs. self expression: did the characters value material objects or self expression?
For the most part, they value self expression over material objects.
500
Why does the author choose to have the book narrated by Andy?
Andy is the most sane and insightful out of all of the characters.
500
In the Novel, Dag visits Nevada where he buys Claire the gift of a jar of Trinitite, or as Claire calls it, “Plutonium” from a nuclear test site. How is this gift significant to the 80s?
It is significant to the 80’s because it is evidence of the cold war and the arms race at the time.
500
In comparison with Fight Club, how do the characters cope with their problems in Generation X?
In Fight Club the characters result towards action to solve their problems as opposed to Generation X where they result to talking over taking action.
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