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This Side of Brightness
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"This Side of Brightness" Quiz

A multigenerational novel that weaves together the stories of sandhogs building the New York City subway and a homeless man living in its tunnels.

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Test your knowledge about the book "This Side of Brightness". We have come up with 10 quiz questions for the book. Hit play and start testing your knowledge. Each correctly answered question gives one point.

10 questions available

Essay questions

These essay questions are meant to be used as a starting point for your essay or research paper.

  1. How does the setting of the novel, including its historical context, contribute to the overall themes and tone of the story?
  2. Discuss the role of the underground tunnels in the novel and how they serve as a metaphor for the characters' experiences and struggles.
  3. Examine the character of Nathan Walker and his journey throughout the novel. How does his perspective shape the reader's understanding of the story?
  4. In what ways does the novel explore the theme of legacy and the impact of the past on the present?
  5. Compare and contrast the lives of the characters living in different time periods (1890s and 1990s) in the novel. How do their experiences parallel or diverge from each other?
  6. How does the author use language and imagery to depict the harsh realities of life for the characters living in the underground tunnels?
  7. Discuss the significance of light and darkness in the novel, both literally and metaphorically. How do these elements contribute to the overall meaning of the story?