Dreamland

Twice in the novel, Colby remembers his sister telling him that “love and pain [are] two sides of the same coin” (216). How does this idea resonate differently throughout the narrative? Include specific examples in your discussion.

Discuss the novel’s treatment of the creative process. What importance does the novel place on creativity and its impact on the human experience? Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.

In Chapter 2, Colby describes working on a farm: “While things are constantly growing, other things are always decaying, and striving for that perfect balance sometimes feels like a nearly impossible task” (17). Explore the motif of balance as it relates to each of the novel’s three themes listed in this guide.

Why does Sparks begin Colby’s narrative on the day he meets Morgan? How would Colby’s arc be different if the story began at a different moment in his life? Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.

Explore the different family dynamics experienced by each of the three main characters: Colby, Morgan, and Paige/Beverly. What does each character’s perspective contribute to the novel’s thematic exploration of The Bonds of Family?

What is the significance of the mangroves in Chapter 19? Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.

In Chapter 34, Colby notes, “I was starting to grasp that love followed its own timeline and made even radical changes almost inevitable” (217). How does love change Colby? Include at least three specific examples in your discussion.

When Morgan returns to North Carolina for Colby, she finds him working on his car contemplating the satisfaction of completing a finite task when so much of the work in his life feels like an ongoing practice. How does this observation relate to the creation of art in the novel? Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.