Duma+Key+by+Stephen+King

by Stephen King
 * DUMA KEY**



Cassandra Beck Michael Arigot Josh Walker Brett Lewbel
 * Group Members:**

(A) Josh Walker (B) Michael Arigot (C) Cassandra Beck (D) Brett Lewbel
 * Week 1:**


 * Discussion Questions**

1. Do you feel sorry for Edgar Why or Why not?

2. If in Pam's position, would you have divorced Edgar?

3. What was your favorite part of the book so far?

4. What part of the book was the most tragic/depressing/dark?

5. What does it say about Edgar's character that he has not committed suicide yet?


 * Summary

While eating Josh's munchkins, (with some occasional sniffs of the munchkin box by me, the raving health nut) our group discussed the first five chapters of the book. Everyone was very enthusiastic and eager to share their thoughts and opinions of the psychological thriller. Conversations revolved around the style of the novel as well as the content. The majority of us pitied the protagonist at the beginning of the story, after he experienced immense trauma and was soon after divorced by his wife. However, as the story progressed, 3/4 of us became very fascinated by the brain-damaged and interesting new person he turned out to be. __Duma Key__ is a surprisingly easy read that brings out curiosity in all of us. We are very excited to read more.

****Characters**

__Edgar Freemantle-__ victim of crane accident, relocated to Duma Key, mentally unstable, has a phantom right arm, __Pam-__ Edgar's soon to be ex-wife, claims Edgar tried to choke her and that she is scared to live with him anymore, __Ilse-__ Edgar's daughter, (the one that cares about him), comes to visit him Edgar in Duma Key, they go to explore the other end of the island and they both get sick, thinks his artwork is amazing, __Melinda-__ Edgar's daughter, (not close to him), __Reba (the anger-management doll)-__ a doll given to Edgar to help him with his frustration, comes alive in his dream, he draws pictures about it, __Dr. Kamen-__ doctor who tries to help Edgar with his problems, __Kathi Green (the rehab queen)-__ another doctor who tries to help Edgar with his problems, __Tom Riley-__ Edgar's accountant, now having an affair with Edgar's wife, __Mrs. Fevereau-__ hits Gandalf with her Hummer __Mrs. Goldstein-__ Monica's mom __Monica Goldstein-__ watched her dog get run over with a Hummer __Gandalf-__ Monica dog __John Hastings-__ told Edgar that he could let the dog go now, it was already dead, __Jack Cantori-__ works for Edgar on Duma Key, __Wireman-__ works for Miss Eastlake in her huge house on the other end of Duma Key __Miss Eastlake-__ owns at least 1/2 of Duma Key, the godfather's daughter,


 * Week 2:**

A)Cassie B)Brett C)Mike D)Josh


 * Discussion questions:**

1) What do you think of Wireman's past? 2) Why do you think Edgar's paintings have so much power? 3) How do Elizabeth's messages on Edgar's answering machine tell about her past and Edgar's future? 4) What do you think Elizabeth means when she says the key is not a place for daughters? 5) Do you think Edgar can save Wireman?


 * Summary:

While chowing down on some of Cassie's delicious brownies, our group discussed the language that Stephen King uses in his book, //Duma Key// **//.// We talked about how Stephen King is not afraid to curse in his work and how this helps to get his point across. We also talked about how he uses both English and Spanish and this helps give background and details about certain characters such as Wireman. Also on the topic of Wireman, we believe that he has certain telepathic abilities which different group members have mixed feelings about. For example, Brett is scared by Wireman, but Josh thinks that Wireman is the most original character in any book he has ever read. Cassie thinks he is a very weird character and she says that he doesn't seem human, he his very hard to describe. We also say that it is bery interesting that Edgar is trying to 'paint the bullet out of Wireman's skull' and how he can't seem to do it when he wants to. It seems as though Edgar can only paint the future and things that would help or harm people when he is in some sort of daze which he cannot control. All members of the group have decided that we all hate Pam. We also talked about Elizabeth's phone messages for Edgar and how she says, "Duma Key is not a place for daughters." We do not know what that means yet, but we are all very eager to find out.


 * Week 3:**

HOW BEAST IS THIS!!!!!!

The book discussion commenced with a scrumptious noshing on Arigot's cream-filled squares with cinnamon. Even though our group was sans Cassie Beck, we were still able to have an engaging discussion. Josh's opinion on the book's mood was that it was happy from time to time, but there was lingering feeling that something bad was going to happen. It has a dark tone, which is customary of Stephen King. We also discussed a chapter detailing a giant frog chasing two girls.

In preparation for the upcoming book club meeting, we discussed our roles. My job will be to bring in food. I was unsure about what I could bring and there were some suggestions- burgers, Johnny Rockets, the American Dream Diner, my refrigerator, etc. Ultimately, I decided that I would honor Arigot's decision, and make my own dish. I am still unsure what I am going to use, but I know it will be absolutely nosh-tastic!


 * Week 4:**


 * Discussion Questions:

1) What do you think Elizabeth meant when she said, "She's awake. The table is leaking." ? 2) Why do you think Edgar did not see the faces (of the two sisters) in his painting? 3) Do you think Elizabeth would still have died if she did not go to Edgar's art show? 4) What (or who) do you think killed Elizabeth? Why? 5) Why is the Perse mad? 6) Do you think John Eastlake made the silver harpoons to ward off the Perse when he dove for treasure? 7) Did Tom save Pam by crashing his car? 8) Do you think the Greek goddess Persephone is involved? 9) If 'they' are not vampires what are 'they'? 10) What do you think they will find on the south side of the island?

Week 5 Discussion Questions: **

1. How was the ending? 2. Was the doll talking with her own voice or Jack's voice? 3. Did it surprise you when Nan Melda was killed? 4. What was your view on the How to Draw a Picture? 5. What would you change if you could? 6. Do you hate Pam? Why? 7. What was your reaction to llse's death?

In response to Josh Walker's question (If Duma Key was a movie, who be in the lead roles):

1. Edgar Freemantle- Harrison Ford, Billy Dee Williams, Sherman Hemsley, Robert Smigel, Dustin Hoffman, George Clooney 2. Wireman- Johnny Depp, Eddie Murphy, Christopher Lee, Alan Rickman, Christopher Walken