Conference of the Birds

1. What literary means does the author employ to bring the experience of being in the "group" close to the reader? Which of these are most successful?2. Mystics have always held that their experience is inexpressible in words on paper. Do you believe this or not? Does the answer have any relevance to a reading ofThe Conference of the Birds?3. IsThe Conference of the Birdsa cautionary tale? A hopeful tale?4. Many readers say that they hate the character Joe. But why? What other feelings might one have for him? Is it his personality, or position, or our collective memory, or the events of the story, which most determine our feelings towards him? Is it possible, as the narrator seems to suggest, that Joe was both right about many things and wrong about many things, and does it matter?5. Is Joe cold?6. IsThe Conference of the Birdsemblematic of the 1970s? And even if it is, is it possible that many of the ideas and thoughts expressed in it are now widely dispersed, perhaps in diluted form, through the culture?7. How can Bobby be explained? What is going on with Bobby?8. What does one make of the notion of "spiritual evolution?" What does one make of the notion that every religion has exoteric and esoteric aspects, followers of its forms and rituals, and initiates?9. Why are members of the group "mongrels of the spiritual?"10. Have you or anyone you know been a part of a "group" akin to Joe's? If so, how did it all come out? Or has it not "come out" yet?11. What did the narrator learn, or gain, or lose, by his years in the "group?"12. Is Maisie the most appealing character inThe Conference of the Birds?13. What part doesThe New Yorkermagazine play inThe Conference of the Birds?14.The Conference of the Birdsat first blush has a noticeably different style from Lewis's other novels. Does that difference hold up on closer inspection? To the extent the style is different, how does it serve the book's story, themes, and aspirations?15. What can be said about the relationship between groups such as Joe's and the larger culture?16. What is the thematic role ofThe Conference of the Birdsin the development of Lewis's quartet?Lewis, Jeffrey is the author of 'Conference of the Birds', published 2005 under ISBN 9781590511244 and ISBN 1590511247.