Sabbath's Theater

Despite not being very present in the novel, how do puppets and Sabbath’s approach to using them reflect his approach to interacting with people?

Sabbath struggles with suicidal ideation throughout the novel. Why does he change his mind at the end of the novel, and what is truly the moment that gives him a reason to keep living?

The theme of The Stress of Aging plays a prominent role in Sabbath’s Theater. How does Sabbath’s awareness of his aging impact his approach to his relationship with Drenka and the other women in his life?

How does the discovery of Morty’s belongings illuminate The Power of Loss and Grief in the novel and how do they impact Sabbath’s relationship to the grief that stems from Morty’s death?

Much of Sabbath’s life is dominated by the people who leave or disappear. How does the death of Morty and the dissolution of Sabbath’s mother impact Sabbath and influence his approach to adult relationships decades later?

The gold star in Sabbath’s childhood window represents a significant source of pain for him. How does the symbolism of this image help create a sense of discordance between the tragedy of Morty’s death and the patriotic view of World War II?

Desire as a Guiding Force dominates Sabbath’s thoughts and leads him through the novel. Why is desire the principle guide in Sabbath’s life and why does he continue to pursue desire despite the many consequences?

Norman Cowen is a foil to Sabbath because of his pursuit of the ordinary rather than the extraordinary. How does this revelation impact Sabbath and force him to reconsider his life goals?