62 pages • 2 hours read
Steven EriksonGardens of the Moon
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Examine the role of history and mythology in shaping the events of the novel. How do ancient conflicts like the legacy of the T’lan Imass and the Jaghut inform the primary characters’ present-day actions?
The opening epigraph of the novel asserts the cyclical nature of history. This concept is echoed by various characters throughout the novel, especially Tool and Adjunct Lorn. How does the cyclical nature of history relate to the novel’s main themes? Does the novel suggest that history is doomed to repeat itself? Use specific examples from the text to support your argument.
Analyze two or three epigraphs that begin key chapters. What role do the epigraphs play in the narrative structure? How do they deepen the narrative’s exploration of central themes?
Explore the concept of justice in Gardens of the Moon. How do characters in the novel perceive and pursue justice? How does the portrayal of justice contribute to the novel’s exploration of good versus evil?
Gardens of the Moon follows several main characters, shifting between their perspectives within each chapter. How does this narrative structure contribute to the novel’s world-building and characterization?
In Gardens of the Moon’s large cast of characters, there are many secondary characters. Explore a specific secondary character, like Mammot, Tool, Toc the Younger, Anomander Rake, or Bellurdan. What role does this character play in the novel? How do they impact the plot, world-building, or the character arc of a main character?
Discuss Paran’s character development throughout the story. How does his perspective and role evolve? What does his character arc reveal about the larger themes of the story? Can Paran be considered the novel’s protagonist? Why or why not?
At the climax of Gardens of the Moon, a magical entity called an Azath appears. What is the nature and significance of the Azath? Consider where it appears, the shape that it takes, and its role in the culmination of the novel.
Compare and contrast Adjunct Lorn’s Otataral sword and Paran’s sword, Chance. What role do these swords play in the plot? What does each sword reveal about its owner’s motivations, background, and character development? What is the significance of Paran taking Lorn’s sword after she dies?
