Discussion Questions for Third and Final Day of _Queer_
- What is yage? Why is important to Lee? - What does Lee have to say about queerness and the Cold War? -Check out chapter 8's hunchback--he's the second on our syllabus. What do we make of him?
What is the significance of Lee holding his little son in his dream and sobbing? Also, what is the significance of a group of people standing in convict suits in the dream?
What is the significance of Lee's Tibet routine (p. 73 and 74 in the green edition)? Specifically the ending of West vs. East and "How the fuck should I know?"
What is the significance of Lee's obsession with "thought control"? How does it relate back to the Cold War? How does it affect his interactions with the other characters in the book?
How do you think Lee's relationship with Allerton affected the rest of the latter's life? What about the former's life (taking account the bibliographical information we know about Burroughs)?
The concept of time appears to be more distinct and obvious in this portion of reading. What is the significance between this and their arrival at South America?
What is the significance of Lee holding his little son in his dream and sobbing? Also, what is the significance of a group of people standing in convict suits in the dream?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of Lee's Tibet routine (p. 73 and 74 in the green edition)? Specifically the ending of West vs. East and "How the fuck should I know?"
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of Lee's obsession with "thought control"? How does it relate back to the Cold War? How does it affect his interactions with the other characters in the book?
ReplyDeleteHow do you think Lee's relationship with Allerton affected the rest of the latter's life? What about the former's life (taking account the bibliographical information we know about Burroughs)?
ReplyDeleteHow does Lee's desire for the woman in the tenement fit in or contradict the story?
ReplyDelete-Joseph
Why do you think Burroughs switches from third-person narrative to first-person in the Epilogue?
ReplyDeleteIt says near the beginning of Ch.8, "In deep sadness, there is no place for sentimentality." Do Lee's actions or thoughts support this statement?
ReplyDeleteLee repeatedly refers to himself as "Papa." What is the significance of his self-perception as a father figure?
ReplyDeleteNear the end of the epilogue, Lee contrasting describes Mexico City and Panama. How might these descriptions be ironic?
ReplyDeleteThe concept of time appears to be more distinct and obvious in this portion of reading. What is the significance between this and their arrival at South America?
ReplyDeleteGrace
Does Lee's obsession with Yage/thought control extend beyond Cold War paranoia? And if so, why else does he want to obtain Yage?
ReplyDeleteWhy is Lee so obsessed with "thought control"?
ReplyDelete_Christine Garibian