Blood Meridian Questions

Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.

  1. What do you think the overall point of Blood Meridian is? Is there any kind of final moral to the story? What is it?
  2. Is there any particular group of people in this book that seems more vicious than the others? Why?
  3. Is it fair to label Glanton and his men as a bunch of psychopaths, or is it possible for human compassion to be totally gone from some cultures?
  4. Do you agree with Judge Holden's views on the universe? Why or why not?
  5. What do you think is the kid's main motive in this book? What drives him?
  6. Does the violence in this book ever get boring? Is so, what does that tell us about ourselves?
  7. Is it fair to say that Blood Meridian is a pessimistic book? Why?
  8. What do you think happens after Judge Holden pulls the kid into the outhouse at the end of the book? How does the outcome of this event affect the book as a whole?