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47 pages 1 hour read

Marge Piercy

He, She and It

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1991

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Essay Topics

1.

How do the characters’ religious beliefs affect their decision-making processes?

2.

The huge multinational corporations in the novel (known as multis) are positioned as the chief antagonist. To what extent is the novel a criticism of capitalism?

3.

Shira feels guilty and responsible for Josh’s death. To what extent is she to blame for the death of her ex-husband?

4.

The story of the Golem runs parallel to the main narrative. In a structural sense, how does it affect the story of Yod?

5.

Gadi’s creations present a beautiful but false version of the world to the users. To what extent do these creations reflect Gadi’s deepest insecurities?

6.

Riva’s apparent death and resurrection has a big impact on her daughter. What does Shira’s reaction tell the audience about the relationship between mother and daughter?

7.

The trip to the Glop presents the audience with a look at the most disenfranchised population in the post-apocalyptic world. Does the Glop appear more or less dystopic than the Y-S enclave?

8.

As a cyborg, Yod has to defend his very existence. To what extent does Yod succeed in becoming human?

9.

Avram and Malkah function as mother and father to Yod. In what ways is their relationship to their creation similar to the bond between a parent and a child?

10.

How do Nili’s body augmentations affect Yod’s argument that he should be considered a person?

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