Setting
Where does Jack's oldest daughter live?
Hawaii
What is Dylar?
The name of the drug that Babette secretly takes that relieves the fear of death
What location is used frequently to symbolize consumerism?
The supermarket
"The world was a series of fleeting gratifications" (pg. 162) means what?
The people in the novel search for momentary gratifications through consumer culture and the media.
Who is Winnie Richards?
A neurochemist that helps Jack study Dylar and find out who created the drug
Where does Jack witness a disaster simulation?
On his way to the supermarket
What was the name of the substance that Jack was exposed to after the toxic spill?
Nyodene D.
What natural phenomenon becomes significant to Jack after the airborne toxic event?
The sunsets
The quote "What's your hurry? You're nineteen years old. You'll find hundreds of ways to die that are better than snakes." (pg. 198) hints at what?
Death has become normalized
What character shares the same interests in death and risk as Heinrich?
Orest Mercator
Where is the family evacuated to after the incident?
Iron City
What Guinness World Record does Heinrich's new friend want to complete?
Longest time in a cage with poisonous snakes
What does the toxic dark cloud symbolize?
The continuous fear of death
"The real radiation is the kind that surrounds us every day" (pg. 166) What is Heinrich referring to?
The normalization of danger within the novel
Who created Dylar and why is this character significant?
"Mr. Gray" or Willie Mink, he is significant because of his affair with Babette
How does the family learn most of their information about the toxic event?
Through the car radio
What is SIMUVAC?
The pseudo-emergency organization that uses the toxic event as practice
What does the medicine represent in the novel?
The medicine represents desperation and control
"You have to ask yourself whether anything you do in this life would have beauty and meaning without the knowledge you carry a final line, a border or a limit" (pg. 217). What point is Winnie trying to get across to Jack in this quote?
Death is natural and necessary
Who encourages Jack to face death through what he knows about Hitler?
Murray Jay Siskind
Where does Winnie help Jack confront his fear of death?
On top of a hill while watching a sunset
What does Jack ask of his German teacher?
To add half an hour to each lesson
What does the normalcy in the town symbolize when the family returns after the toxic event?
Denial
"The more we rehearse disaster, the safer we'll be from the real thing. Life seems to work that way, doesn't it? (pg. 195). How is this quote from the SIMUVAC worker satirical?
The training is happening during an actual disaster and the disaster is being used as a training exercise.
What reoccurring conversation do Babette and Jack have?
Who will die first