Saturday

Analyze the character of Baxter. What is his significance in the novel? Does he represent a broader societal critique? Why or why not?

How does Saturday explore the interplay between the personal and political, and interrogate questions of individual agency and responsibility in global conflicts?

How does Saturday portray the contemporary urban landscape, including the role of technology and its implications for human connection and oversaturation? How do these elements relate to the novel’s key themes?

Compare and contrast the characterizations of Henry and his daughter Daisy. How do their respective professions (neurosurgeon and poet) inform their views on ethics and social responsibility?

How does McEwan use the character of Henry Perowne to explore the ethical and political dilemmas facing individuals in a globalized world? How does Henry’s personal struggle reflect the larger issues raised by the Iraq War?

How do wealth and privilege function in the novel? In what ways, and how, is poverty depicted? What is the significance of these different states in the novel?

Consider the role of the oldest generation in the novel, as embodied by Lily and John Grammaticus. How are they depicted? What role do they play in the text?

How does McEwan use the anti-war protest in London as a symbol of individual agency and responsibility in the face of global conflict? What does the protest represent in terms of the novel’s larger themes and concerns?