Essay Questions

Why does Devereaux prefer using a sense of sarcasm and dry humor while interacting with his staff?

From the onset, readers discover that Devereaux is a reserved man struggling silently with his family issues. Despite having a prestigious profession, Devereaux is not satisfied with whatever he does. When the vacancy for the head of the English Department is advertised, Devereaux is not interested in the position. Management recruits Devereaux as the acting head of the department temporarily as they look for a qualified applicant to fill the position. At the department, he intentionally shares dry jokes with his staff to let them know he is unhappy with his position. The staff at the English department can easily tell that Devereaux is not interested in his position.

How does Richard Russo explore the theme of identity?

Identity is the dominant theme in the novel because the protagonist is in a crisis to discover his self-worth. Devereaux is a middle-aged man working in the Railton Campus as the head of the English Department, but he is troubled. Devereaux feels locked in his profession and marriage because he longs for freedom. Devereaux thinks marrying Lily is one of his worst mistakes because he does not love her. Devereaux does not see the value of his hard work in his profession. In addition, Devereaux is haunted by his past because he feels his problems are rooted in his family tree. Devereaux's journey shows that identity is complex and can deny individual happiness.

What is the symbolic meaning of the new computer center in Railton Campus?

The new computer center on the campus symbolizes technological advancement. Immediately after the new computer center is launched, rumors of employees' downsizing start spreading on the campus. Employees in various departments are worried about the future of their jobs because most activities will be executed using the new technology. The campus wants to reduce operational costs by laying off employees whose tasks can be executed using technology at a lower cost.