Examine the novel’s title through the lens of the setting and the characters’ various approaches to material wealth. What is the “problem” with paradise that the authors endeavor to highlight? Use specific examples from the text to support your interpretation.

Analyze the depiction of sibling relationships in the novel. How are the siblings trapped in the roles that their parents have created for them, and how do they interact as a result?

Using the social construct of patriarchy and the psychological model of narcissistic behavior, describe how Ray Weston’s obsession with wealth and power manifests throughout the book.