1. Who is the real "dreamer" in this novel? Is it Dr. King, dreaming of a world filled with equality and racial harmony? Is it Matthew Bishop, dreaming of the day he will truly become his own man, an individual who shines in his own glory rather than hides in the shadow of others? Or is it Chaym Smith, dreaming of the day he will achieve greatness like Dr. King, yet remain true to his own beliefs?
2. A major turning point for Matthew is the moment he gives in to his anger at the diner, lashing out at the waitress for her racist behavior. He is exhilarated by his response, even though it goes against everything Dr. King stands for. Discuss other events in Matthew's life that reflect Chaym's influence. Is it wrong for Matthew to behave in this manner, or is it a necessary step he must take to come to terms with his own anger and disillusionment?
3. Dreamer calls to mind the famous expression, "Many are called, but few are chosen." What do you think is more difficult: experiencing true greatness only through the eyes of someone else—or never experiencing it at all?
4. Discuss the merit and meaning of Chaym's kill-or-be-killed attitude. Does he ultimately soften his views as a result of his experiences within the Civil Rights Movement? In the end, is he "right" because his survival instincts allow him, unlike Dr. King, to escape with his life? Does Chaym aspire to be as "good" as Dr. King—or is he out to prove that he is better?
5. Discuss ways in which Chaym and Matthew mirror one another. Both are smart and insightful, but while one always tries to take "the high road," the other is empowered by his refusal to accept the terms of others. Who ultimately emerges the winner?
6. Many literary texts use the "doppelganger" as a means to explore issues of good vs. evil and nature vs. nurture. How effectively does Johnson use this device to examine these and others issues? Compare his treatment to other books, such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
7. Do you agree with Chaym's assertion that "all narratives are lies?" What does he mean when he says this? That we (individually or as a group) revise history to fit our needs, conveniently "forgetting" events that do not suit our agenda? Does the ability to revise the past make it easier to live with?
8. When Chaym is slated to make his first public appearance as Dr. King, Matthew closely watches the pulpit, unsure if the man at the podium is Chaym or Dr. King. (He later learns that it was King.) Who did you think was making the speech as you read the novel? Is Chaym capable of giving such a speech, Or is he a mediocre man who can Wily dream of aspiring to such greatness? Discuss way's in which Chaym's fate might have changed had he, as planned, stood in for Dr. King that fateful day?
9. As Chaym dejectedly watches Dr. King accept congratulations for his rousing speech at the A.M.E. church, Matthew describes him as "undergoing a living death in the great man's presence." Doesn't this statement actually describe to a tee what Matthew himself goes through every day?
10. Discuss the evolution of Matthew's friendship with Amy. Does he ultimately find solace in their renewed relationship? Is Amy part of the ideal Matthew is so desperately searching for? Does she reject him, then later accept him, because he has changed? Or has she?
11. Chaym's emotional growth is charted by his drawings. His earlier artwork, completed before he joined the Movement, seems to focus on his own personal misery. Later, he looks outward and depicts the beauty he finds in his surroundings. What other events signal Chaym's growth?
12. Part of Matthew's job is to keep a detailed record of the Movement. Discuss the validity of Matthew's notes in light of Chaym's belief that all narratives are lies. Is Matthew an accurate keeper of the flame? Does his role as history's scribe make him more powerful than Smith, maybe even more powerful than Dr. King?
13. Matthew describes himself as "the insecure, callow prop in the background of someone else's story." Do you agree with his assessment? Is Matthew an observer or a participant in the making of history? Is he underestimating his importance to the Civil Rights Movement because he believes that his contributions are dwarfed by those of "great men" like Dr. King?
14. In the end, does Dr. King experience a change of heart when he questions the validity of his peaceful methods? Is this Chaym's influence shining though? Is King giving up or giving in to pressure?
15. What do you think about Chaym's ultimate decision to leave? Is he saving his own skin, or is he making a sacrifice for the good of Dr. King and the Movement? Was his leaving really the only possible outcome to his situation? What do you think ultimately became of Chaym? Would it have been possible for Chaym to assume Dr. King's role after his death? Will he and Matthew ever meet again?
16. What resemblances are there in the story of King and Chaym to the biblical tale of Cain and Abel? Consider the following:
• There is a moment for both King and Chaym when each man discovers God. For King, it is a transforming experience that shows him the way to confront the world's evil, while Chaym's faith is short-lived, and he becomes disillusioned by the evils of the world. How does each man's relationship to God affect what happens to him?
• What are Chaym's motivations in helping King? Is his offer to be a decoy a true gesture of self-sacrifice? Or does he covet King's position as a great and beloved leader?
• Chaym eventually succumbs to the FBI's threats and cooperates with them out of fear, but we never learn exactly what happens to him. Do you think he betrays King? Might he be responsible for his death in some way?
• Chaym is able to imitate King in all aspects except his faith in God. Does Chaym represent what King might have been without God?
17. Many famous figures who came to symbolize peace during their lives (King, Gandhi, Rabin, and even John Lennon) have been struck down by assassins' bullets. Discuss the irony of such voices of reason being silenced by the violence that they loathed. Do you think Dr. King would be America's martyred symbol for Civil Rights had he not been murdered in his prime? Does his murder allow us to conduct our own kind of historical revision by letting us forget his limits as a man and leader, and focus solely on his tremendous achievements?

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