Skip to the content
The Library
of Alexandria
Sign inTry 3 months free3 months free

Water Margin book club questions

by Shi Nai'an · a kit for three meetings · 15 questions · printable

Fifteen discussion questions for Water Margin, grouped by three stretches of the book of about the same length, with a reading plan, themes to talk about and a sheet you can print. Two good openers: how should we judge Lin Chong's revolt against Wang Lun after his own difficult admission? And can protection bought through payments still count as justice?

See the book

The reading plan

Meeting 1

Part 1 to Chapter 23

About 9 h 43 min to read

Meeting 2

Chapters 24 to 45

About 9 h 19 min to read

Meeting 3

Chapters 46 to 70

About 9 h 48 min to read

Free for 3 months

Get the full summary of Water Margin, free

  • 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
  • Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Start freeNothing to pay today. USD 0.14 a day in the first year, then USD 0.27 a day.

Meeting 1: Part 1 to Chapter 23

  1. Can protection bought through payments still count as justice?
  2. What does Wang Lun's demand for a killing suggest about the price of belonging?
  3. How much blame should Yang Zhi bear when heat and resentment weaken his command?
  4. How should we judge Lin Chong's revolt against Wang Lun after his own difficult admission?
  5. Does giving his reward to the hunters change how you judge Wu Song's decision to ignore warnings?

Meeting 2: Chapters 24 to 45

  1. When bribed officials refuse to act on evidence, what choices remain morally defensible for Wu Song?
  2. How freely can Wu Song judge a request after receiving unexpected comforts in prison?
  3. What limits, if any, should sworn brotherhood place on Wu Song's willingness to fight for Shi En?
  4. Can an alliance built by destroying Qin Ming's homecoming deserve his loyalty?
  5. Why might Song Jiang insist on serving exile when friends offer him refuge?

Five accounts for the price of one: the 15-minute summary today, the book to read and hear as it opens, printed copies, large print included, at cost. Try 3 months free

Meeting 3: Chapters 46 to 70

  1. Does freeing prisoners justify using false officials to force a reluctant landowner into the stronghold?
  2. How should Liangshan balance mourning Chao Gai with choosing a temporary chief?
  3. How does Lu Junyi's rejection of outlaw leadership shape your view of the rescues he later needs?
  4. How should we weigh the prisoners freed at Daming against the widespread fire and killing?
  5. What might competing leadership claims reveal about unity among the chiefs?

Themes to talk about

Corrupt justiceLoyalty against dutyCoerced allegianceLimits of violence

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.

Free for 3 months

Get the full summary of Water Margin, free

  • 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
  • Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Start freeNothing to pay today. USD 0.14 a day in the first year, then USD 0.27 a day.
200,000+ classics to read, hear and hold

15-minute summaries today, eBooks and audiobooks as each book opens, and printed books, large print included, at cost.

Try 3 months free

More book club kits: Beauty and the Beast · The Raven · The Fall of the House of Usher · All kits

libraryofalexandria.com/pages/water-margin-book-club-questions