Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- What do you suppose is the reason for the novel's first chapter? None of those characters show up later in the novel, so what is their purpose anyway?
- Did you notice any strong female character in the novel? If so, who and how does her character fit into the novel thematically? If not, why do you think they are lacking?
- Why do you suppose Clarke chose the narrative voice he uses? What are the advantages and disadvantages to this type of narrator? Do you think it works overall?
- Explain how you see the relationship between science and mysticism in Childhood's End. Does Clarke seem to prefer one to the other? Does one help humanity more than the other or uncover truth better? What's all this mysticism doing in a science fiction novel in the first place?
- All right, let's talk about that ending: Who do you think gets the weakest deal, the Overlords or humanity?
- What exactly do you think the Overmind is anyway? Because, honestly, we'd like to know ourselves.
- The Overlords manipulate the humans; there's no question there. But, in the end, do you think they do so for humanity's benefit or detriment? A little of both perhaps? With so much ambiguity, it's best you explain your reasoning with examples from the novel.
- Is Childhood's End more world-centered or character-centered? That is, is the development of the world more important than fleshing out the characters, or vice versa? Explain your answer. Do you think Clarke's choice works for the type of story he was telling? Why or why not?
- Watch Stanley Kubrick and Clarke's cinematic team-up, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Do you see the movie and this novel sharing similar common themes? Do they explore different ones? Based on your answers there, how do you see these two works of Clarke relating to one another?