Alas, Babylon Ch. 1-5 Reading Guide

Name Period

Alas, Babylon Ch. 1-5 Reading Guide

Directions: As you read Chs. 1-5, answer the following questions.

Chapter 1

1. What is Florence Wechek’s impression of Randy at the beginning of Alas, Babylon?

1. How does the description of the election show a new side of Randy’s character?

1. If the description of the Bragg house is symbolic of the Bragg character, what might itshow?

1. Explain the meaning of the phrase “Alas, Babylon.”

1. What relevance does the phrase “Alas, Babylon” have to the theme of the novel?

1. Summarize Mark’s views on the United States’ state of Civil Defense preparedness.

Does the author seem to agree with him?

Chapter 2

1. What examples of foreshadowing are there in this chapter involving cars?

1. Describe the Offenhauses and Alice Cooksey—referring specifically to events which illustratetheir characters.

1. How is Mark’s authority established in this section?

1. What warning does Mark give about Civil Defense and how is it related to the theme of thenovel?

1. What is there about Mark’s warnings that might be considered dated since the novel waswritten?
2. How does Mark describe Helen? How does her character compare to the character of otherwomen who join Randy’s community after The Day?

1. Why does Randy vow never to cry again?

Chapter 3

1. How does Edgar judge people? How does this relate to Edgar’s reaction to the disaster?

1. What does the poker story reveal about Edgar’s and the Judge’s personalities?

1. How does Randy get Edgar to cash Mark’s check? What does this show?

1. Randy’s discussion with Malachi reveals Randy’s attitudes towards black people. What arethey?

1. What vital necessity does Malachi bring up before Randy does?

1. Why does Lib McGovern say Randy should leave Fort Repose?

1. Why is Dan a bitter man?

1. What do Mr. McGovern, Randy, and Dan have in common? Relate this to the novel.

Chapter 4

1. What does Helen’s leaving Omaha show about her character?

1. How is Ben Franklin shown to be a child of the atomic age?

1. What is symbolic about the landscape that Peewee Cobb flies over?

1. Describe the McGovern home. What is ironic about its functional design?

1. How is the inadequacy of Bubba Offenhaus as Civil Defense chief shown?

1. Describe Randy’s attitudes toward war as they are revealed in his conversation with Helen.

1. How does the release of the weapons emphasize the importance of time?

1. How does the description of SAC headquarters emphasize the impersonality of war?

Chapter 5

1. Discuss some ways in which Randy’s competence and authority begin to assert themselvesafter the attack.

1. How does Ben show his understanding of the difficulties his family faces?

1. What does Randy’s stopping the car by the wreck show?

1. Contrast some of the reactions people in Fort Repose have to the attack.

1. How is the behavior of Edgar and his wife particularly absurd?

1. How does the town’s business and economy change?

1. Compare the reactions of Florence and Alice.

Name Period

Alas, Babylon Ch. 6-13 Reading Guide

Directions: As you read Chs. 6-10, answer the following questions.

Chapter 6

1. Dan mentions historian Arnold Toynbee in a conversation with Randy. Discuss thesignificance of this passage in terms of the theme of the novel.

1. Who is the new President of the United States? What does this change suggest about thecondition of the United States?

1. What new danger is mentioned in this chapter?

1. Why is it so important that Ben wash his hands?

1. What quality of Sam’s is implied in the description of his past history?

Chapter 7

1. How does the loss of electricity affect the lives of the survivors?

1. What does Randy realize in his conversation with Ben?

1. How does Fort Repose change?

1. Discuss the relationship between Lib and Helen.

1. What lesson in Civil Defense planning is brought home by Dan’s co stockpiles?

1. Contrast Bubba Offenhaus and Randy as leaders.

1. Relate the death of Florence’s birds and fish to the theme of survival.

Chapter 8

1. The lives of several people in the community, while more uncomfortable ways, are actuallyimproved in others. Explain this.

1. Describe the system of commerce which develops after The Day.

1. What change in black and white relationships has evolved?

1. Why is the beekeeper suddenly important?

1. What effect does Jim’s generosity have on Randy?

1. What is ironic about Porky Logan’s death?

1. What new human danger threatens unprotected travelers?

Chapter 9

1. The burial of Porky Logan might be considered the turning point of the novel. Why?

1. What note of optimism does Dan see? Relate this to the theme of the novel.

1. What is Lib’s analysis of the problem with Helen and her solution?

1. How do the Admiral’s words reinforce the theme(s) of the novel?

1. In what way do Ben and Randy face the same decision as part of protecting their family?

Chapter 10

1. Why does Dan stop for the ambush?

1. Why do Randy and the Admiral exclude Lib from their strategy session? How does sheestablish her right to be included?

1. How do Randy and Dan differ in what they see as the greatest threat to their survival?

1. Why are there so many armadillos in Florida? How does Randy think they might be useful?

1. What positive note does the church service evoke?

1. How does Randy’s attitude toward children change during the months following The Day?

Chapter 11

1. How does the description of Randy and Lib’s wedding suggest both continuity and change?

1. What does the decision to have Malachi drive the decoy truck show about Randy’s leadership?

1. Why does Randy want to hang, not shoot, the remaining highwayman?

1. What kind of community support does Randy get after the hanging?

1. What good comes out of the struggle to save Malachi?

1. How does Randy’s attitude toward children change during the months following The Day?

Chapter 12

1. Describe Peyton’s attempts to be useful.

1. What substitute for anesthesia does Dan use?

1. Why is salt so important?

1. What is ironic about the new system of education?

1. Which of Dan’s patients gives him new hope for the future?

Chapter 13

1. How do the leaflets dropped by the helicopter become useful?

1. In what ways were Randy and his group lucky?

1. On the other hand, in what ways is theft success due to their own initiative?

1. What notes of hope are there?

1. What pessimistic notes are there?

1. Why don’t Randy and his friends want to leave?

1. What is ironic about the final question and answer?