The Possessed book club questions

The reading plan

Meeting 1: Part 1

1. When a friendship depends on wealthy protection, how much room is left for honesty?
2. How should a medical explanation affect the town's judgment of Stavrogin's public outrages?
3. What might Stavrogin's years of travel mean to the mother left waiting for him?
4. Why might an uncertain engagement put a friendship under such strain?
5. How should readers weigh Liputin's claims when a newcomer challenges them?

Meeting 2: Part 2

6. How does admitting that apparent foolishness serves a purpose change your trust in the private visitor?
7. How do you judge Stavrogin's decision to give money to someone offering suspicious help?
8. What might Stavrogin's refusal to kill Gaganov show about him, given that the duel brings no reconciliation?
9. What does society's willingness to excuse humiliating pranks suggest about who receives protection?
10. How does demanding silence about political murder change the meaning of the radicals' debate?

Meeting 3: Part 3

11. How much weight would you give disappointed expectations of free refreshments in explaining the charity fête's hostility?
12. How might shutting out a friend offer protection, and what might it cost Stepan?
13. How do you interpret Liza's decision to approach the murder scene after a confession of shared guilt?
14. What does treating threatened betrayal as grounds for murder reveal about the conspirators' loyalty?
15. How do you weigh Shatov's welcome to his estranged wife against his delayed effort to expose suspected criminals?

Themes to talk about

Tips for the host

1. Open each meeting with one question everyone can answer, then go deeper.
2. Anyone who fell behind can catch up with the 15-minute summary.