Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Does it matter whether Roots is completely factually accurate? Why or why not?
- Does it change your understanding of Roots to view it purely as fiction? In what way?
- What is the significance of Haley including his writing process in the novel itself?
- Compare and contrast the various men in the Kinte family line.
- Do we see any reoccurring imagery or themes across the generations? What are they, and what is their significance?
- In what ways does Tom embody the Kinte legacy?
- Is the novel a critique of American society? Explain your answer.
- Are there any events in the novel that can be viewed allegorically?
- How do you think Kunta's family reacts to his abduction? How might it have impacted them in the long-term?
- What might be some long-term effects of the institution of slavery in America, based on what you've read in the novel?