Among the Bros: A Fraternity Crime Story

How does Marshall depict the nature of the fraternities at C of C? How does he use individual fraternities like KA to explore broader ideas about fraternities in the USA?

Marshall argues that the insular and privileged world of fraternities often renders members impervious to consequences for their bad behavior. How does Among the Bros explore the idea of culpability and consequences?

Analyze some of the literary and narrative techniques Marshall employs to tell the stories of the key figures in Among the Bros. What techniques does he use, and to what effect? How do these techniques conform to, or diverge from, the usual conventions of nonfiction writing?

Examine the history of racism in fraternities that Marshall explores in the book. In what ways does racial ideology influence the structure and culture of fraternities? How do these racial ideologies intersect with other forms of hierarchy and discrimination?

Compare and contrast this book with another text that deals with similar subject matter, such as Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities by Alexandra Robbins or Blood Orange Night by Melissa Bond. What themes or key ideas do the texts share in common? In what ways, if any, are they similar or different in their presentation of fraternities and sororities?

Marshall focuses on Mikey Schmidt as the central figure in his narrative. How does he characterize Mikey? How does he present Mikey’s “arc” in terms of his experiences and personal development?

Among the Bros examines the wide-ranging effects of benzodiazepine misuse and the more general drug culture on US campuses. How does Marshall explore various aspects of this phenomenon? How do various figures in the book regard this drug culture and/or engage with it? What is the significance of their experiences?

Marshall points to The Varlet, a key text of the KA, as embodying a set of theoretical ideals that are often at odds with the actual practices of fraternity life. How does Among the Bros explore these tensions between ideals and reality?