| Describe the society in which the story takes place. |
| Characterize Fara Clark; characterize his wife Creel; characterize his son Cayle. Describe the relationship between father and son. |
| Characterize the empress. What is she really like. Describe Fara's feelings about the empress. |
| Where did the weapon shop come from? |
| Why is Fara so appalled at the appearance of the weapon shop? |
| What restrictions on gun purchases are placed by the weapons shop? What does the nature of these restructions tell you about the weapon makers? |
| Why is Fara so intent on leading the opposition to the weapon shop? Why is everyone else so reluctant to back him up? |
| Why won't the weapon makers hire Cayle? |
| Why do Fara's mother-in-law and the mayor tell him to go to the weapon shop? |
| What causes Fara's financial ruin? |
| How is Fara's problem representative of the problems of all of the citizens of Isher? |
| When Fara purchases the gun, what has he really purchased? |
