Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Do you think Goodbye, Columbus is funny? Why or why not? If you do, what's the funniest part?
- Why do you think Neil asks Brenda to buy a diaphragm just days before her planned departure for Boston and his for Newark? Why doesn't she want to? Why does she do it anyway? What would you have done if you were Brenda? What makes you think so?
- If you haven't read any other novels by Philip Roth, does Goodbye, Columbus make you want to? Why or why not? If you say, yes, but don't know which of Roth's 29 other books to choose, allow us to recommend Indignation (2008), the story of a young Newark man's experience in an Ohio (not Columbus!) college.
- How would this story look from Brenda's perspective? How does she see Neil? Can you relate better to Neil or to Brenda? Neither? Both equally? Explain.
- Who is the most sympathetic character, and why? Who is your favorite? Least favorite? Why?
- Assuming that Neil and Brenda are both very competitive, who is most competitive?
- Does Neil learn anything from his summer adventure? If so, what? If not, why not?
- What, if anything, is the significance of sports in Goodbye, Columbus?
- What is Neil's relationship to Ron? How does he see Ron? How does Ron feel about him?
- From the few mentions of Neil's parents, what do you think his relationship with them is? What's his relationship with Aunt Gladys?
- Is it significant that the narrative skips over the wedding ceremony in Chapter 7 and then devotes most of the wedding reception scene to Leo? How does Neil feel about Leo? How would the story be different without Leo's voice? Is this important? Why or why not? Did you like that part? Why or why not?
- Critics have compared Goodbye, Columbus with A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, by James Joyce. If you've read both, what do you think? Can you think of similarities between these two characters? Differences?