Important Things Said by Important People
"I'm decent to everyone. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a decent person." "Hold on to that for as long as you can," he said, as if doing so would be a very difficult thing. (Rowan and Volta, page 246.) Why does Volta think it will be hard for Rowan to uphold his morals and remain 'decent'? How is this an example of foreshadowing?
Volta knows what comes with working with Goddard, and knows that his influence is widely spread and strong. It foreshadows the growth of Rowan's internal dilemma as Goddard pushes him to enjoy gleaning. (Answers may vary.)
Under Scythe Faraday earlier in the book, Rowan is told to never lose his humanity or he'll become a killing machine. That numbness is best avoided. Under Scythe Goddard, he's also told not to be a killing machine. But while Faraday preaches compassion and humanity, Goddard is searching for passion and enjoyment. How does this difference create conflict in Rowan?
He's tied between following his old mentor and his new mentor. His heart tells him to follow Faraday and not lose what makes him human, but Goddard's influences pull him the opposite way.
He thinks of himself and the Scythedom as 'above' the rest of society, that they should be treated like royalty. (Answers may vary)
Early on in the book, the Scythedom debates banning gleaning via fire, and later officially bans it after Goddard's death. However many scythes, specifically Faraday, encourage using many different gleaning methods. What is your opinion on the matter?
Since it's opinion-based, any response with valid evidence is correct.
The Thunderhead tells Citra that no matter what happens, she plays a pivotal role in the Scythedom. What qualities make her such an important person for the progression of the Scythes?
Answers may vary, but Citra is defiant, self-confident, and studious. This gives her a strong voice, and suggests she'll bring about change.
"Gleanings should be iconic. They should be memorable... For those who will be gleaned, do we not, at the very least, owe them a spectacular end?" -Scythe Goddard, page 238. Is this a reasonable justification? When Goddard does perform these showy gleanings, who is being remembered?
The first part of the question is subject to opinion, but the gleanings don't usually remember the people, but more Goddard and his junior scythes. The attention isn't necessarily to remember those gleaned, but to give fame to the scythes involved.
When Rowan gleans Goddard, he doesn't hesitate for a second. How is this different from lettuce-Rowan? Do you think he had considered doing this before?
He's more confident than lettuce-Rowan, and isn't afraid to stand out and do what he wants. As to the second part, any answer well-defended is correct.
Goddard has broken a few of the Scythedom's commandments, including (but not limited to) biased gleaning and over-gleaning his quota. Why is he able to get away with this?
He has ways of manipulating the Scythedom, including threatening both the high blade's daughter as well as his security in the Scythedom. (Answers may vary).
Was killing Goddard the right thing to do?
Any answer with proper reasoning is correct.
High Blade Xenocrates is frequently described as being a walking contradiction, and a hard person to read. In your opinion, is Xenocrates a good high blade? Why or why not?
Answers may vary. If an answer is defended and discussed properly, then it may be marked correct.
"Immortality has turned us all into cartoons." - Scythe Curie, page 192. What does this quote tell us about post-mortal age society?
During his final exam, Rowan shoots the gun before the scythes even finish instruction. Why do you think he does this?
This can be answered in a multitude of ways, but some options include Rowan's training under Goddard, his role as the lettuce in his family, and premediated failure of the exam.
When Rowan begins to spend more time with Volta, he learns that although the junior scythe doesn't want to engage in mass-gleanings or Goddard's methods, he likely won't leave Goddard. Why do you think this is? What threat does Goddard hold over him?
Answers may vary, but one likely example is Goddard's manipulation of the Scythedom. With control over both the high blade and a good percent of the Scythedom, he holds significant social power over Volta. Again, any argument with good evidence and discussion is considered correct.
Scythe Curie tells Citra that she hopes after she becomes a scythe, she'll have a different method than both herself and Faraday. It implies importance on the different perspectives and ideas of Scythes. Do you think that's something that's important to the Scythedom? Does this include Goddard's beliefs?
Answers vary. If defended with evidence and properly discussed, the answer may be considered correct.
They Scythedom is forbidden form all direct contact and interaction with the thunderhead. Why do you think the founding scythes decided this? Is this a wise decision? Why or why not?
Being more of a discussion question, any answer with evidence to back it up is considered correct.
"We are now a force greater than nature. For this reason, scythes must be as loved as a glorious mountain vista, as revered as a redwood forest, and as respected as an approaching storm." -Scythe Goddard, page 202. What are some other examples of Goddard comparing scythes to nature, and how does he use this to justify his beliefs?
Goddard compares scythes to hunters, to nature's predators. He uses the natural cycle of life and death to justify his own pleasure in gleaning, saying that there's no reason a wolf can't enjoy hunting prey. (Answers may vary).
After the gleaning of Goddard, Scythe Xenocrates hints at knowing what Rowan did to him. As Scythe Xenocrates pokes around for a confession, Rowan brings up Esme, suggesting that Xenocrates should escort her home. After Xenocrates agrees to stop the investigations. How does this link Rowan back to Goddard?
Rowan bribes High Blade Xenocrates similar to how Goddard blackmailed him earlier in the book. It further shows how his teachings and practices affected Rowan.
Throughout the story, Goddard throws extravagant parties and celebrations. Besides personal enjoyment, why do you think he throws these parties?
Answers may vary. Could include splendor, appearing charismatic, having a good public image, and appealing to those around him. Any answer with proper evidence and discussion is correct.
Goddard frequently practices mass gleaning as his preferred method. Towards the end of the book, he and his junior scythes glean a Tonist holy site by means of fire. However in mortal age, buildings burned from time to time. If a scythe's job is to replicate nature, are Goddard's practices specifically still cruel? Why or why not?
Answers vary depending on reader's morals and reasoning. Any explanation with good evidence is considered correct.
The first World Supreme Blade, Scythe Prometheus, discusses how the training to be a Scythe must be difficult, and should "cut one's soul to the very core,". Out of the three scythes we see the most in this book, (Faraday, Curie, and Goddard), which scythe did the best job of this?
This is an opinionated question, but any answer with evidence and reasoning shall be marked correct.
"Our hope is that by a set of ten simple, straightforward laws, we can avoid the pitfalls of human fallibility...And if this experiment of ours fails, we have also embedded a way to escape it." -High Blade Prometheus, page 262. Is the idea of 10 simple laws effective? Would you add or subtract laws if you had the control?
Answers vary. Depending on evidence and discussion, some answers may be marked correct.
After Rowan caught Volta crying, Volta tells Rowan he hopes Rowan comes to love killing. That it would make his life so much easier. How does this affect Rowan's internal conflict? How does not being a passionate killer make Volta's life difficult?
Once Goddard hears that Volta has died, he doesn't seem to have much of a reaction. Do you think he would've responded the same if Rand or Chomsky had died? Does he care/have empathy towards any of them? To anyone?
This is mainly a discussion question, so any response with good evidence and reasoning is correct.
Scythe Curie refrains from telling Citra what the last test is, saying it's the hardest thing she'll every do. Was it reasonable of her to do this? Why or why not?
Any answer with a viable explanation is correct.
The final test before a scythe's ordainment is to render a family member deadish. Is this a good way to test a scythe? Why or why not?
Answers vary, but any response with evidence and discussion is correct.