Reading Study Questions
Alas Babylon
Pat Frank
Answer the following questions providing detail and depth to validate your actual reading
of the novel.
Plot Development
Chapter 1
1. What is Florence Wechek's impression of Randy at the beginning of Alas, Babylon?
2. How does the description of the election show a new side of Randy's character?
3. If the description of the Bragg house is symbolic of the Bragg character, what
might it show?
4. Explain the meaning of the phrase "Alas, Babylon."
5. What relevance does the phrase "Alas, Babylon" have to the theme of the novel?
6. Summarize Mark's views on the United States' state of Civil Defense preparedness.
Does the author seem to agree with him?
Chapter 2
7. What examples of foreshadowing are there in this chapter involving cars?
8. Describe the Offenhauses and Alice Cooksey—referring specifically to events
which illustrate their characters.
9. How is Mark's authority established in this section?
10. What warning does Mark give about Civil Defense and how is it related to the
theme of the novel?
11. What is there about Mark's warnings that might be considered dated since the
novel was written?
12. How does Mark describe Helen? How does her character compare to the character
other women who join Randy's community after The Day?
13. Why does Randy vow never to cry again?
Chapter 3
14. How does Edgar judge people? How does this relate to Edgar's reaction to the
disaster?
What
does the poker story reveal about Edgar's and the Judge's personalities?
15.
16. How does Randy get Edgar to cash Mark's check? What does this show?
17. Randy's discussion with Malachi reveals Randy's attitudes towards black people.
What are they?
18. What vital necessity does Malachi bring up before Randy does?
19. Why does Lib McGovern say Randy should leave Fort Repose?
20. Why is Dan a bitter man?
21. What do Mr. McGovern, Randy, and Dan have in common? Relate this to the the
novel.
Chapter 4
22. What does Helen's leaving Omaha show about her character?
23. How is Ben Franklin shown to be a child of the atomic age?
24. What is symbolic about the landscape that Peewee Cobb flies over?
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
The burial of Porky Logan might be considered the turning point of the novel. Why
What note of optimism does Dan see? Relate this to the theme of the novel.
What is Lib's analysis of the problem with Helen and her solution?
How do the Admiral's words reinforce the theme(s) of the novel?
In what way do Ben and Randy face the same decision as part of protecting their
family?
Chapter 10
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
Why does Dan stop for the ambush?
Why do Randy and the Admiral exclude Lib from their strategy session? How does
she establish her right to be included?
How do Randy and Dan differ in what they see as the greatest threat to their
survival?
Why are there so many armadillos in Florida? How does Randy think they might
be useful?
What positive note does the church service evoke?
How does Randy's attitude toward children change during the months following
The Day?
Chapter 11
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
How does the description of Randy and Lib's wedding suggest both continuity and
change?
What does the decision to have Malachi drive the decoy truck show about Randy's
leadership?
Why does Randy want to hang, not shoot, the remaining highwayman?
What kind of community support does Randy get after the hanging?
What good comes out of the struggle to save Malachi?
How does Randy's attitude toward children change during the months following
The Day?
Chapter 12
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
Describe Peyton's attempts to be useful.
What substitute for anesthesia does Dan use?
Why is salt so important?
What leads to Randy's conclusion that women are helpless without n
What is ironic about the new system of education?
Which of Dan's patients gives him new hope for the future?
Chapter 13
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
How do the leaflets dropped by the helicopter become useful?
In what ways were Randy and his group lucky?
On the other hand, in what ways is theft success due to their own initiative?
What notes of hope are there?
What pessimistic notes are there?
Why don't Randy and his friends want to leave?
What is ironic about the final question and answer?