The First Part Last Questions

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

  1. How does Bobby construct his identity as a young black father? In what ways does he change over the novel? In what ways does he stay the same?
  2. How does Johnson's poetic style affect the impact of the story?
  3. How would the story change if Bobby and Nia's genders were reversed?
  4. What sort of commentary might Johnson be making about family and love?
  5. Why does Johnson divide the novel into then and now chapters? Why alternate the narrative between past-Bobby and present-Bobby?