American Rust: A Novel

Isaac’s and Poe’s entire futures hinge on their actions during those crucial moments in the machine shed. While they both come to regret their choices, are those choices in some ways inevitable? Do Poe’s and Isaac’s respective pasts make those choices predictable? Cite at least three examples from the text to develop an answer.

Meyer extensively uses stream-of-consciousness narration. Explain the technique. What does it add to the narrative? How would the story be different without it?

In many ways, the Mon Valley is a character unto itself. How does the setting function as a secondary character? What emotions does it evoke? How does it affect the other characters?