52 pages • 1 hour read
Stoner
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Book Club Questions
General Impressions
Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of gender discrimination and death.
Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
1. How did you feel about Williams’s decision to reveal Stoner’s death and legacy in the first chapter? What effect did this have on your reading experience? How does this compare to other novels that deal with a character’s entire life, such as John Irving’s The World According to Garp?
2. What was your initial reaction to Stoner’s quiet acceptance of life’s disappointments? Did your perception of his character change throughout the novel?
3. The novel suggests that an “average” life can be worthy of deep examination. Which aspects of Stoner’s story resonated most strongly with you?
Personal Reflection and Connection
Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.
1. Like Stoner, many people experience a moment when they discover their true passion. Have you ever had a similar awakening that changed the course of your life? How did it compare to Stoner’s discovery of literature?
2. Consider Stoner’s decision to stay in academia rather than join the war effort. Have you ever made a decision that others judged but that you knew was right for you? Do you feel the same about your decision in retrospect?
3. The novel explores how workplace conflicts can affect one’s entire career. How does the feud between Stoner and Hollis reflect workplace dynamics you’ve experienced or observed?
4. Throughout the novel, Stoner struggles with balancing his professional passion with his personal life. Could you relate to this challenge? Why or why not?
5. The book suggests that some people choose careers that provide a “haven” from the outside world. How do you view this idea in relation to your own career choices?
Societal and Cultural Context
Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.
1. How does the novel’s portrayal of marriage and gender roles reflect the social constraints of its time period? Which aspects of these dynamics persist today?
2. The book explores how institutions like universities can both nurture and stifle individual growth. How relevant is this critique to contemporary academic institutions?
3. How does the novel’s treatment of class mobility through education reflect both opportunities and limitations in American society?
Literary Analysis
Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.
1. Analyze the symbolism of literature itself in the novel. How does Williams use books and reading to develop Stoner’s character?
2. How does Williams use the contrast between the farm and the university to develop the novel’s themes?
3. Examine the relationship between Stoner and Katherine. How does their affair serve as a counterpoint to his marriage with Edith?
4. What role does silence play in the novel, both in Stoner’s childhood and his adult relationships?
5. How does Williams use physical descriptions of aging to reflect Stoner’s internal development?
Creative Engagement
Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.
1. If you were to write a letter to one character in the novel offering advice, who would it be, and what would you say?
2. Imagine creating a reading list for Stoner to teach in his medieval literature course. Which texts would you include, and why?
3. Consider how this story might be different if told from Edith’s perspective. Which aspects of their shared life might she emphasize or interpret differently?
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