Essay Questions

What is the importance of The Reaping Song?

The Reaping Song is a song of protest and lamentation in Red culture. The red people sing this song as an expression of their grief and suffering at the hands of the Gold. The song is significant because it is seen as a song of protest, and therefore it is banned by the Society.

What were Brown's inspirations in writing this book?

Brown once said that he was inspired by "the plight of Irish immigrants in the 19th century, and by the disenfranchisement of working classes." As such, in writing this novel, Brown was inspired by real events in history, in which people were subjugated for reasons beyond their control. Although the novel is set on Mars in the far future, it is based on real events.

Why is Eo executed?

Darrow's wife Eo is captured along with her husband, as they were found in a forbidden area. After her arrest, Eo is publicly whipped, and as this happens she sings a forbidden song called the reaping song. This song is banned due to its rebellious subject matter, and therefore Eo is executed as an example to other Reds who might be thinking of protest.