Brooklyn

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• In reading this book, did you learn anything surprising about mid-century Irish immigration that you didn’t know before?
• Who were you rooting for—Tony or Jim? Why?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Have you ever immersed yourself in another country or culture? What sort of things challenged you about confronting another way of life?
• Which stage of Eilis’s adaptation to American life resonated with you most? Were there any scenes that stood out as being particularly authentic?
• Throughout the novel, Eilis struggles with her family’s expectations. Do you think it’s possible both to satisfy such expectations and pursue one’s own dreams? Why or why not?
• Consider the homesickness that Eilis experiences in America. Have you ever felt this way about a person or place? How did you navigate these feelings?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• How has immigration to the US changed between the 1950s and today? Do you think that Brooklyn offers any messages for the contemporary US? 
• How does the novel combine Irish, American, and Italian influences? What sort of commentary does this offer on the idea of the US as a “nation of immigrants”?
• How is Jim Farrell’s character a product of his time period? In what ways do his attitudes and actions continue to resonate?

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