Study Guide
Doublethink by J.E. Schwartz
Doublethink has a definite point of view as it connects the dots of public policy with the realities of daily life. It is a progressive’s cry for reason, challenging moderate Republicans to take back their party and for Democratic leaders to return to creative populist principles. Debut novelist J.E. Schwartz paints a disturbing picture of a “starved beast” America, featuring the GOP’s coalition partners of fundamentalist religious groups and neoCon hawks who sincerely believe in the rightness of imposing their respective visions of Jesus and American-style democracy on everyone else.
Set in the not-too-distant future, this fictional story of a successful corporate executive losing his assets to misguided government intrusion is all the more unsettling because it acknowledges how close to the edge many middle class people are living. Joe, a decent Christian man, resides in a stratified society dominated by a collective fear of terrorism. It is only his terrifying fall from his serene life that enables Joe to experience a different perspective and discover what is most valuable to him.
The story illustrates how different people might react to the changes impacting American culture. Some are choosing to go into exile while other build their own alternative communities, which, as Joe learns, may not always be left alone in peace. The spirit of entrepreneurship spawns new living arrangements, such as long-vacant office buildings repurposed as residential campgrounds as a last resort before homelessness. It poses the question, “Will we like the world we may receive if we don’t speak up?”
Whether this study guide is used for independent research, a conversation with a loved one who holds a different perspective, or a book club discussion forum, we hope that the questions prompt you to open your mind and see the another viewpoint.
Discussion Questions
- Doublethink: In his dystopian classic, 1984, George Orwell defines "doublethink" as the "power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously and accepting both of them." Where do you see examples of the practice in this novel?
- As Joe listens to the speech by the re-elected President, he admits to himself where he disagrees with the administration’s policies. Why do you think Joe won’t tell most people what he really thinks?
- Liberals: How does Joe define a liberal? Do liberals have to be Democrats?
- Taxes: Why are taxes so bad? What government service that you or your extended family receive today (public schools, good roads, Medicare, Social Security, etc.) would you be willing to give up to reduce your tax bill? If you could tell Congress where you wanted your tax dollars to go (i.e. military vs. social programs), would it make paying them more palatable?
- Free Speech: How much protest is good? Should demonstrators be limited to restricted areas? Where should we draw the line if anywhere? Were you aware that people have been ejected from Republican election rallies for simply wearing a T-shirt that said “Protect Our Civil Liberties?” (see links) Do you think that is right? Should everything that offends someone be protested?
- Evolution: What impact would science classes that equate evolution with intelligent design have on technical innovation and businesses that depend on scientific discovery?
- Privacy: In Joe’s world, people routinely submit to retinal scans, carry ID cards, expect the government to scrutinize their emails and conversations, and influence press coverage in the name of the War on Terror. The women at the New Year’s Eve party are willing to make these trade offs for the sake of security. What compromises are you willing to make to combat terrorism and where would you draw the line? Are we being too complacent?
- Personal Accountability: All political parties include people who believe in personal accountability, i.e. individuals should take charge of their own lives to survive and thrive. It’s been said that the devil is in the details. Where are the similarities and where are the differences? Why do conservatives often believe liberals just want to take money from hardworking people and hand it over to lazy poor ones? Where does the collective good intersect with individual responsibility?
- Motivation: Are people only motivated by money in their jobs? Joe thinks his son is naïve for emphasizing other factors. Would executives still work hard on behalf of the company and shareholders if they earned salaries more in line with their colleagues? [link to corporate library] In your work, what causes you to feel loyalty?
- Jobs: If corporations off-shore many of their jobs for the sake of staying competitive, the manufacturing sector continues to shrink, the number of government positions are cut dramatically, public schools are no longer a commitment, there aren’t funds for public works projects or redevelopment; and retail, agribusiness, and media are consolidated into the hands of a few large corporations, what will be the growth industries and decent paying jobs of tomorrow?
- Rendition: Joe's friend, Jerry Rooz, an Iranian-American businessman is arrested under suspicion of associating with a terrorist organization. What is “extraordinary rendition”and where has it been used? (Go to Google news and type in the phrase to see the latest incidents and accounts. If you knew the goverment would track that search would it discourage you from doing it?)
- Retail diversity: If the only retailers and restaurants who could survive in a super-competitive multinational world are large chains, would that bother you? Where would YOU eat?
- Social Safety Net: The author questions, as do many Democrats, whether kind, decent people who vote Republican are failing to make the connection or choosing to ignore the implications of policies they support. For example, if we can’t afford the safety net because of a reduced tax base, what happens to the working poor who depend upon extra assistance to survive? Is it worth having millions of America citizens be sick and hungry just to prevent a relatively small number of people from cheating on welfare? What creative solutions can Democrats propose that can address the legitimate concerns?
- If the New Deal/War on Poverty/Welfare State goes away, will private charities be able to pick up the slack? What if contributions are no longer tax deductible?
- Communication: Joe finds himself defending his beliefs with the inhabitants of Aquamarine. Why do you think that conservatives and liberals are having such a hard time talking to each other? What do they find frightening about each other?
- Inciting violence: Bikers incited by aggressive talk show hosts attack the peaceful village of Aquamarine. Listen to Michael Savage, Barbara Simpson, or Rush Limbaugh if you haven’t already. The language they use feels pretty scary to the author. What responsibility do media personalities have if their listeners take their admonitions literally? If on air commentators present as “facts” information they know to be untrue just to rile up an audience or to be entertaining, what can/should the listeners do about it? How do we evaluate who is telling us the truth?
- Health Care: Joe gets a job at an upscale assisted living facility. Should a public discussion of the cost of health care take into account the moral implications of maintaining a prolonged existence for the infirm elderly? Is this a personal decision or a matter of public policy? What prevails when it's a choice between patients' rights vs. the law?
- The Sterns’ son dies after the family exhausts every possible treatment. Should people without health insurance have any recourse or limits when it comes to expensive treatments? Is rationing of medical care an idea we realistically should consider? Joe thinks they shouldn’t have tried so hard to save their son. What would you have advised them?
- Our Dark Side: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet A. Jacobs is a compelling slave narrative and Maria’s favorite book. It reminds us of both the great capacity for courage and cruelty our country possesses. Where else in the book does the author challenge the reader to examine both the good and dark side of individuals and government?
- Our Best Selves: Maria shows Joe that giving to others out of your own pain can lead to incredible joy. Have you experienced this yourself? How do you compare the religious or spiritual aspects of this behavior relative to Joe’s earlier participation at his Congregational Church?
- Right to Die: Robert’s wife is forced to receive more treatment for her terminal illness than she wants because of government intervention. The people wanting to prolong her life are sincere in their desire to “save” her. Where should we draw the line as a society for end of life care? Would you want the government officials who tried to intervene in the Terry Schavio case help you with a similar circumstance in your family?
- Gay Rights: Joe’s son Daniel feels his father has let him down because he didn’t question his party’s restrictions on gay rights. What happens when your personal goals or principles conflict your own Party’s policies?
- Non-Violent Protest: In the epilogue, the author calls for a general strike as a form of non-violent protest by the citizenry. This technique, while quite common in Europe, has not been used widely in the U.S. except for labor disputes. Do you think it might be used for such a purpose here and if not, why not? Would the government pay attention? What other non-violent techniques to express dissatisfaction that would minimize personal risk could you recommend? What is the most effective form of protest?