Voorheesville Public Library

QUESTIONS

How does Desmond deal with his hearing loss?
Desmond had to retire in part because of his deafness. Is he content in his retirement?
Desmond is a highly-educated former professor who’s written books on esoteric subjects. How well equipped is he to deal with everyday problems? What sorts of things does he worry about?
What kind of husband is Desmond? What kind of son is he?
What is Fred like? How does she deal with Desmond’s deafness?
Of the “supporting characters” in the book, which are the most believable? Why?
Desmond is initially resistant to joining the lip-reading class. Why? Does his attitude change?
Why does Desmond agree, against his own better judgment, to be Alex’s thesis advisor?
What motivates Alex? Is she trying to entrap Desmond? Why can’t Desmond just get rid of her?
Why is Alex writing her thesis on a literary analysis of suicide notes? What does this add to the novel?
Why does Desmond follow his son’s advice and visit Auschwitz? What does the experience mean to him?
How would you describe the humor in Deaf Sentence?
How successfully does Lodge mix the comic and the serious elements of the story?
Romance, family, sex and loss are all recurring themes in the novel. How does Lodge tie these elements together?

Questions compiled by Suzanne Fisher (fishers@uhls.lib.ny.us)


	Deaf Sentence by David Lodge
	QUESTIONS How does Desmond deal with his hearing loss? Desmond had to retire in part because of his deafness. Is he content in his retirement? Desmond is a highly-educated former professor who’s written books on esoteric subjects. How well equipped is he to deal with everyday problems? What sorts of things does he worry about? What kind of husband is Desmond? What kind of son is he? What is Fred like? How does she deal with Desmond’s deafness? Of the “supporting characters” in the book, which are the most believable? Why? Desmond is initially resistant to joining the lip-reading class. Why? Does his attitude change? Why does Desmond agree, against his own better judgment, to be Alex’s thesis advisor? What motivates Alex? Is she trying to entrap Desmond? Why can’t Desmond just get rid of her? Why is Alex writing her thesis on a literary analysis of suicide notes? What does this add to the novel? Why does Desmond follow his son’s advice and visit Auschwitz? What does the experience mean to him? How would you describe the humor in Deaf Sentence? How successfully does Lodge mix the comic and the serious elements of the story? Romance, family, sex and loss are all recurring themes in the novel. How does Lodge tie these elements together? Questions compiled by Suzanne Fisher (fishers@uhls.lib.ny.us)