Dark Matter Disappointment

Underneath all the sci-fi multiverse thriller trappings, Dark Matter is all about the feeling of disappointment. On one side of the Dessen marriage, you have Jason, a community college professor who often regrets giving up his research career to start a family. On the other side, you have Jason's wife, Daniela, who is disappointed she never achieved her artistic ambitions. Although the methods these characters use to rectify these feelings might be a bit unusual (quantum physics, anyone?), we can all relate to having some regrets about our pasts.

Questions About Disappointment

1. What are the similarities between Jason's and Daniela's feelings of disappointment? What are the differences?
2. How does Jason express his disappointment?
3. Does Jason2's invention actually fix any feelings of disappointment? Why or why not?
4. How do Daniela and Daniela2 relate in terms of their relationships with the past?

Chew on This

Both Jason's and Daniela's disappointment is rooted in shame over squandering personal potential.

The novel suggests that feelings of disappointment are inevitable, no matter what decisions you make.