Z For Zachariah

What does the novel suggest about the relationship between technology and power? If Loomis represents the danger of technology as a means of domination, does the novel offer a more hopeful way of thinking about the role of technology in human lives?

What role does religion play for Ann in the novel? How does Ann’s relationship to religion reflect the realities of a post-apocalyptic world? What emotional, psychological, and practical needs does religion fulfill for her?

A challenge for all post-apocalyptic novels is how to convey information about the cataclysmic events that took place before the novel’s opening. How does Z for Zachariah find naturalistic ways to inform the reader about events beyond its narrative scope?

What does Ann’s persistence in caring for Loomis despite his controlling behavior convey about her character? What does it reveal about humanity as a whole?

What role does Faro play in the novel? How is he used both to advance the plot and to convey the themes through symbolism?

Other than the central conflict between Ann and Loomis, choose at least two other conflicts in the novel. Discuss both sides of these conflicts, whether they are resolved, and what theme is conveyed by their resolutions or lack thereof.

How does the diary format shape the narrative and the reading experience? In what ways does your understanding of Loomis evolve alongside Ann’s, and in what ways does the novel provide clues that allow the reader to understand things that Ann does not?

Analyze whether Ann and Loomis are static or dynamic characters by discussing how they change or fail to change. What theme(s) is conveyed through their changes or lack thereof?