Vicious

Do you think EOs are “alive?” What about the people brought back by Sydney’s gift? What characteristic best defines “life” in the novel? Support your argument with evidence from the text.

Schwab has stated that Victor’s character was originally named “Vicious.” Why do you think Schwab changed the name, and why is the novel still titled Vicious? Cite the novel’s explorations of words and their meanings to support your argument.

Eli believes that EOs no longer have souls, while Victor believes EOs are scientifically produced. Which argument is more supported by the novel? Cite at least five examples from the text.

Using the definition of Rebirth Syndrome provided in Chapter 42, choose two EOs from the novel and compare and contrast how the syndrome applies to them based on who they are before and after death.

What do you think ultimately caused the rift between Victor and Eli? Angie’s death, Victor’s success at becoming an EO, or something else? Why do you think this event caused the rift, and what evidence from the story supports your chosen event as the moment of rupture?

What is the significance of Victor and Sydney naming the dog Dol? What might Schwab be saying about EO abilities and their results? About life, death, and pain?

After killing an EO, Eli feels a sense of calm. He feels a similar calm after killing his professor in Chapter 40 but does not feel any calm after he believes he killed Mitch in Chapter 63. Why do you think this is? Support your thoughts with evidence from the text.

Victor compares blacking out the text of his parents’ books to meditation. What does the act say about the meaning words hold? In what other ways does Victor destroy meaning in the novel?