Petey’s isolation takes on multiple forms. He is isolated from his peers, from society, from his family, from nature, and from the culture of the region and nation in which he lives. Explore the effects of these multiple facets of his isolation and how each of these categories constitute a unique impact.

How does Petey conceptualize time? What measures does he utilize in marking the course of his life from one period to the next? How does his understanding of time change depending on whether he is confined to bed or placed in his wheelchair?

Explore Petey’s relationship with his body over the course of the novel. How does he relate to and perceive his physical form? What events and circumstances present the greatest challenges for him?