Question: What are the ways that Equality 7-2521 is different from everyone else

Answer: Taller, learns quicker, fought with brothers and punished, superior intellect, punished more, preferred work over lessons, didn’t listen to history, liked science, wished to learn, and asked many questions.

Question: Why is the average lifespan only 45 years of age?

Answer: Older people have no point in living, they are bored, miserable, and lack stimulation and happiness. They also do not have any family to live for.

Question: Why does the council of vocations assign Equality 7-2521 the job of a street sweeper?

Answer: Teachers warned them that he was a troublemaker and assigned him as a street sweeper to keep him in line.

Question: Does the novel take place in the past, present, or future? How do you know?

Answer: Future, it is described in the Unmentionable Times.

Question: Why do the teachers of Equality 7-2521 disapprove of his quick mind?

Answer: He is smarter than his teachers and grasps things quickly. This is considered a sin.

Question: At this point, does Equality 7-2521 accept his society’s teachings? If so, why doesn’t he feel shame or remorse after committing a crime?

Answer: He has a desire to learn, and enjoys learning. Therefore, he has no guilt and is willing to be punished for trying new things.

Question: Equality 7-2521 frequently mentions a “curse”. What do you think his “curse” is?

Answer: Curiosity

Question: What character traits are revealed about Liberty 5-3000 on pages 38 and 39?

Answer: She seems fearless and cocky, comes off as a very stubborn and arrogant girl.

Question: List 3 examples of how this society tries to wipe out each individual’s mind (and self) by limiting personal choices, desires, and values.

Answer: Dare not to speak of personal thoughts, all must be happy, no choice of mate.

Question: Contrast Equality 7-2521 with the rest of the men living in this society on pg 46. How is he different?

Answer: Equality 7-2521 is not following the rules and is off learning and exploring when he isn’t supposed to. The others are following rules. The others also have a lot of fear, while Equality 7-2521 does not.