Bridge of Clay

How is responsibility presented in the novel? Who is responsible? Who is not responsible? How is responsibility defined for the Dunbar family?

What role does violence play in Bridge of Clay? What does the violence represent for each Dunbar brother?

In what ways do Clay and Michael’s lives mirror each other? How are they different? What do their lives say about their inner emotions? How would their lives be different if they did not mirror one another?

What are the different types of art in the novel? How do the representations of art impact the narrative? Why does art become a medium that is used and discussed by the characters in the story? Use examples from the text.

Does Michael Dunbar deserve the nickname “The Murderer”? Support your claim with evidence from the text.

Why does Zusak choose Clay’s point of view for the story, but use Matthew’s voice to write the novel? How does this change the narrative? How would the story have been written with Clay as the writer and with Matthew’s point of view?

Where do the Dunbar brothers’ loyalties lie? Is there a commonality among them? How do their loyalties impact their relationships?

Who, or what, is the antagonist of the novel? Explain your reasoning by using passages from the text to support your answer.