Downsiders

In J. D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye, the teen protagonist, Holden Caulfield, thinks of himself as a catcher in a field of rye, saving kids before they fall off a cliff. In Downsiders, Talon, Railborn, and Gutta catch “fallers.” Do they save people, too? What other elements do The Catcher in the Rye and Downsiders share? How does the Downside’s view of the Topside differ from or resemble Holden’s view of other people?

Research New York City and its history. In what ways is Downsiders’ portrayal of the city accurate? What does it distort?

Downsiders has much in common with popular cultural franchises like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Hunger Games. Choose one franchise and compare it to Downsiders.

Analyze the character of Railborn and his arc. Why does Talon think of him as a “true friend” when Railborn constantly betrays him? Why doesn’t Railborn practice the compassion that he feels? When does Railborn act on his compassion, and why?

Focus on the chapter titles, and explain how they contribute to the book’s humor. What is funny about Chapter 20’s title, “Dead Man Flushing”? Where does Chapter 5’s title, “Strangers in a Drain,” come from? Sort through the references and ironies.

Why does Talon conceal the true origin of the Downside from Downsiders? Apply the notion of myths to personal stories. How do the narratives people create for themselves help and hurt them?

Explain the trajectory of Lindsay and Talon’s relationship. How do they meet? How and why do they find each other again? What makes them compatible? Why does Talon think they can’t be together in the end?

Examine Downsiders’ personal style through the lens of The Fluidity of Binaries. How do their clothes support this theme? What do they say about personal identity?