The Overstory

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences. 

1. The Overstory delves into the interconnectedness of life and the impact of nature on humanity. Reflecting on your own experiences, how has the natural world shaped your values, relationships, or sense of purpose?

2. The novel explores activism and the sacrifices made for larger causes. Have you ever felt compelled to stand up for an issue you believe in, even at personal cost? How do your experiences compare to those of the characters?

3. Some characters struggle with feelings of loss, regret, and unfulfilled potential. Have you ever felt similarly? How do these themes resonate with your personal journey or the decisions you’ve faced?

4. The novel portrays a deep sense of community among its characters, despite their diverse backgrounds and motivations. Have you ever been part of a community united by a shared passion or purpose? How did it shape your personal growth or worldview?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes. 

1. The Overstory highlights environmental activism as a response to ecological crises. How does the novel reflect current societal debates about climate change, deforestation, and humanity’s responsibility to the planet? Do the characters’ actions mirror real-world movements?

2. Set across multiple time periods and locations, the novel explores how cultural attitudes toward nature have shifted over generations. How do the characters’ relationships with trees and the environment reflect historical and societal changes in our understanding of ecology and conservation?

3. The novel examines the tension between corporate interests and environmental preservation. How does this theme resonate with contemporary conflicts over industrial expansion and ecological sustainability?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism. 

1. The Overstory uses a multi-character, interwoven narrative structure to explore the central theme of environmental preservation. How does this structure impact the reader’s understanding of the interconnectedness of the characters and the natural world?

2. Each character in the novel has a unique relationship with trees. How do these relationships drive their development and shape their decisions throughout the story? 

3. The novel’s settings, from urban environments to dense forests, play a crucial role in establishing tone and theme. How does Richard Powers use these contrasting settings to highlight humanity’s varying relationships with nature?

4. Trees in The Overstory are central symbols that represent endurance, connection, and resistance. How does Powers use the symbolism of trees to emphasize the novel’s  ecological and philosophical messages?

5. The theme of activism is central to the book, with characters choosing different methods to fight for environmental preservation. How does Powers portray the moral complexities and personal sacrifices involved in activism? Does the novel implicitly endorse any particular approach?

6. Both The Overstory and Playground by Richard Powers examine humanity’s use of technology, but in different ways. While The Overstory highlights how technological advancements contribute to environmental exploitation, Playground focuses on how technology shapes memory and personal relationships. If you have read both works, how do their contrasting portrayals influence your perspective on Powers’s treatment of human innovation?