Donald Windham | Author
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Are you familiar with Sirius, the "dog star," in the constellation Canus Major? What about the myth of Achteon? If so, discuss the ways in which these are relevant to The Dog Star and the symbolism Windham has brilliantly employed throughout the telling of this story drawn from these.
2. The novel underscores the confusion and violence that is often involved with coming of age stories and dysfunctional family situations. Is this more prevalent today? Are these feelings natural or environmental? Is this tension a necessary bridge—beneficial, perhaps—in moving an adolescent into adulthood.
3. Blackie obviously idolizes his friend Whitey who committed suicide. Discuss why and whether or not this represents a fundamental flaw in Blackie's personality or is merely a character trait.
4. The Dog Star has a tragic ending. How did you feel about it? Are you able to fully embrace and enjoy a story with such an ending or did it taint it for you? Do you feel that we are conditioned today to expect happy endings and can an ending that is tragic nonetheless be redemptive and inspirational in some way?
5. Some critics have pointed to a veiled exploration by Blackie of his sexual identity in the pages of the story? Did you feel that Blackie was struggling with this? If so, in what ways?
6. Blackie has an extended relationship with an older woman, Mabel. What role did this part of the story serve in Blackie's development and personal struggle?
7. In light of the ongoing public debate about teenage violence and suicide today, discuss the social relevance of the underlying themes in The Dog Star.
8. Have you read other books by Donald Windham and, if so, how do they compare to this, his first book?
9. To what degree do you think this novel is autobiographical? Is it possible to tell if a novel has autobiographical undertones without knowing much about the author personally; if at all?
10. Donald Windham has never enjoyed the critical acclaim her so deserves, especially in light of the critical praise he has received from very successful contemporaries and friends of his such as Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, Andre Gide, Thomas Mann, E.M. Forster, and others. Why do you think this is? Why do some writers find popular acclaim while others fall between the cracks?
11. In his Afterword, Windham notes that the book was poorly received by Atlantans when first published? Why do you think this is? Do you think they were troubled by a realistic, non-romanticized view of inner-city life? Bothered by the tragic ending? Upset that Windham had left Atlanta in order to pursue a writing career?