Zero Days

What purpose is served by allusions to Greek mythology? What connotations, symbolic meaning, and emphasis are lent to this modern text by these references? Can you find other allusions to myth beyond those given in this guide?

Consider the ways Jack could be considered a Christ figure. Do you feel that this comparison is justified? Why or why not?

How compelling do you find the dangers of technology as presented by the text? Are users as susceptible to these dangers as Ware suggests, or has she overstated the threats to users’ security?

Look at your social media accounts. What information could a stranger learn about you (e.g., habits, friends, or job) based on your profiles? Does reading a book like this make you reconsider what you share? Why or why not?

If someone were reading this book 30 years from now, what details would identify it as a text that takes place in the early 2020s? What would “date” it as a product of this decade?

In what ways has Jack’s past shaped her present and the choices she makes? How important is the past in determining her future?

Based on evidence from the text, is it more likely that Cole killed himself in police custody or that his criminal associates arranged his murder to look like suicide?

Consider the ways strangers show kindness to Jack. Why does she feel such guilt about these kindnesses? Has something in her life made her believe that she is undeserving of kindness, or is there some other reason for her response?