Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Who wins the argument, in your view—Black or White?
- Why does White stick around so long? Can his mind be changed?
- Is there a point where Black comes close to really changing White's mind?
- Why is Black an African American and White a white person, in the sense of symbolism or social commentary?
- Do you think McCarthy's views are fully identifiable with Black's? Could they be different?
- Do Black's views on God and Jesus differ from mainstream American and European views? If so, how?
- Why won't White forgive humanity its sins and problems? What does he find more attractive about justice than mercy (which is evidently more attractive to Black)?
- What is the meaning of Black's explanation of the Jesus inside people as being like the gold at the bottom of the mine (the "forever thing")?
- Why does White believe in "the primacy of the intellect"? What does he get out of it? What are the alternatives, and what alternative has Black chosen?
- What does Black mean by "Life Everlastin"? How does he think someone can have it?
- Is there any hope at the end of the story?
- Do either of the characters change in the course of the story? If so, how? If not, why not?
- What is the meaning of Black's final question—"Is that okay?"—which he poses to God?