The Lock Artist

Julian and Gunnar seem to represent opposite ends of the spectrum between sophistication and wildness, refinement and roughness. Where does Mike fall on this spectrum? Compare and contrast Mike’s character with Julian’s and Gunnar’s. What does Mike have in common with each of them? What distinguishes him from each of them?

Trace appearances of water in the novel, especially in Mike’s dreams and fantasies, in his criminal adventures, and in his recollection of his childhood trauma. What does water symbolize in the novel? Does it have different significance in different contexts? What connects these different appearances of water in the novel?

In Chapter 5, Mike claims, “I wasn’t repressed” (35). Does he make a compelling case that he is not emotionally repressed? Is Mike a trustworthy narrator when it comes to his judgment of his emotional health? Why, or why not?

Does Mike’s casual prose style make him seem more or less trustworthy as a narrator? Considering especially those passages in which Mike directly addresses the reader, do you find him to be a charismatic or sympathetic first-person narrator, or do you find him flawed? What characteristics of his narrative style make him appear trustworthy or untrustworthy? What characteristics of his narrative style make him sympathetic or unsympathetic to the reader?

Is the Ghost a hero or a villain? Does Mike genuinely respect and admire the Ghost? Does Mike value the lessons he learned from the Ghost? Did the Ghost’s mentorship shape Mike’s values or his worldview? Support your answer with analysis of Mike’s narrative tone in his descriptions of the Ghost.

Is The Lock Artist a story about trauma? The mystery of Mike’s unspeakable childhood trauma hangs over the majority of the novel. Is there evidence that Mike experiences emotional healing from that trauma over the course of the novel? What signs of growth does he exhibit? In what ways does he resist change? What role does his relationship with Amelia play in his emotional journey?

What does justice look like in The Lock Artist? Mike expresses cynicism about the criminal justice system, yet his imprisonment actually functions as a refuge from danger for him. Does Mike receive justice? Do you agree with his negative assessment of the criminal justice system as it functions in the novel? Why, or why not? You may want to consider furthermore: Is Mike’s criminal involvement justifiable? Does Sleepy Eyes receive just punishment? Is there justice in Gunnar’s death? Is the murder of the man from Detroit justifiable?

Mike structures his memoirs into two parallel narratives, alternating between them from chapter to chapter. How does this structure influence the reader’s understanding of Mike’s character development? Are there adjacent chapters from the different narratives that form “pairs” or “groups”? If so, identify and analyze several examples. Does the development of one plot influence the reader’s perception of the development of the other plot?