The Deer and the Dragon

Analyze Lisbeth’s role in the novel. How is she characterized? What is her wider significance in the text?

Compare and contrast The Deer and the Dragon to another work by Piper C.J., such as The Night and Its Moon. What key themes and ideas do the two texts share? How are they different or similar in their handling of these themes?

Research the names “Silas” and “Azrames,” their possible roots, and potential meanings. What does this information suggest about their motives, goals, and/or natures?

The novel presents the war between Heaven and Hell in very different terms from traditional Christian beliefs. How does the novel adapt elements of Christian belief and practice? How do these adaptations further the novel’s exploration of good and evil?

Marlow’s narration contains several flashbacks. How do these flashbacks shape her characterization? How does the text explore the influence of the past on the present more generally?

The book is called The Deer and the Dragon. To what or whom do you believe this title refers? Make your case using evidence from the text.

How does The Deer and the Dragon conform to the fantasy romance genre? In what ways does it differ?

Examine the novel’s exploration of sexuality, such as Marlow’s experiences as a sex worker, Astarte and the fertility clinic, and/or the sexual dynamics between characters in the novel. How does the text depict the nature and experience of sexuality? What is the wider significance of sex and sexuality in the text?