The Candy House Lesson Plan

In reference to his speculations about Ted at the Miranda Kline meeting, Bix says, “Could you start again without chucking everything?” Why do you think he ponders this idea? Elaborate.

The idea is to get the students thinking critically about Bix’s character on a deeper level so they’ll continue doing it as the novel unfolds. It’s early in the novel, but readers should already have a decent understanding of Bix. He seems to feel unfulfilled in his life (relishing in his pre-fame life nostalgically, for example), despite his vast success. He’s longing for a new fulfilling idea and project that has not come. Perhaps he’d like to restart his life and he’s wondering if in...