Player Piano

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 35 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. Chapter 1: What do you learn about the city of Ilium and the machines that run much of it? How does this setting make the world of the story feel?
2. Chapter 2: How does Paul Proteus seem to feel about his important job? Use details from the chapter to explain your thinking.
3. Chapter 3: What do Paul and Anita seem to want from life? In what ways are their hopes the same or different?
4. Chapter 4: Finnerty comes back into Paul's life. What kind of person does Finnerty seem to be, and how does he affect Paul?
5. Chapter 5: The Shah and his helper see America from the outside. What questions or surprises do they have about this society?
6. Chapter 6: What is Homestead like compared with the richer, machine-run parts of Ilium? How do people there seem to feel about their lives?
7. Chapter 7: The word automation means using machines to do work people used to do. How does automation help people in this chapter, and how does it hurt them?
8. Chapter 8: Why is Paul interested in the old farm? What might the farm stand for in his life?
9. Chapter 9: How do Paul's bosses try to guide or control him? What does this show about power in the story?
10. Chapter 10: Lasher talks about work, pride, and people feeling useful. What is one idea he shares that seems important?
11. Chapter 11: How does Shepherd act toward Paul? What does their relationship show about competition and success?
12. Chapter 12: Paul feels pulled in different directions. What choices does he seem to be facing, and why are they hard?
13. Chapter 13: At the Meadows, leaders gather for a special event. What do you notice about how they talk and behave together?
14. Chapter 14: What does the Meadows event teach Paul about the leaders of this society? Does he feel more included or more doubtful?
15. Chapter 15: The leaders play games and follow rules at the Meadows. How do these games connect to the way their whole society works?
16. Chapter 16: How does Paul handle the pressure to fit in at the Meadows? What does his behavior tell you about him?
17. Chapter 17: What does Paul learn about trust and loyalty in this chapter? How do other characters make trust difficult?
18. Chapter 18: Paul keeps thinking about the farm and a different kind of life. What do you predict he will choose, and why?
19. Chapter 19: How does Anita react to Paul's ideas about changing their life? What does her reaction show about what she values?
20. Chapter 20: The story shows people being judged by tests, jobs, and ranks. Do you think this is a fair way to measure a person? Why or why not?
21. Chapter 21: Paul learns more about the people who want to fight the machine-run system. What reasons do they have for wanting change?
22. Chapter 22: Lasher and others talk about dignity, which means feeling worthy and respected. How are people in the story losing their dignity?
23. Chapter 23: Paul must decide whether to stay safe or take a risk. What would make this decision difficult for him?
24. Chapter 24: How do the secret plans create suspense in this chapter? What details make you wonder what will happen next?
25. Chapter 25: The government and company leaders watch people closely. How does this make the characters feel, and why?
26. Chapter 26: The Shah's visit helps readers see America in a new way. What does he notice that the Americans might not notice about themselves?
27. Chapter 27: Paul gets into serious trouble. How does he respond when he is accused or questioned?
28. Chapter 28: During Paul's trial, what do different people believe about him? How does the trial show the main conflict of the book?
29. Chapter 29: The rebels prepare to act. What hopes do they have, and what problems might stop them?
30. Chapter 30: When the rebellion begins, what changes quickly? How do people react when the machines and systems are attacked?
31. Chapter 31: Some people seem excited when machines are broken. Why might breaking the machines feel good to them at first?
32. Chapter 32: How do the leaders and soldiers respond to the rebellion? What does their response show about keeping control?
33. Chapter 33: After the damage, some people begin fixing machines again. Why is this surprising, and what might it mean?
34. Chapter 34: What lesson does Paul seem to learn about people, machines, and habits? Explain using events from this part of the story.
35. Chapter 35: The ending is not completely happy or simple. What message do you think the author wants readers to think about after finishing the book?

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

Chapter 7: The word automation means using machines to do work people used to do. How does automation help people in this chapter, and how does it hurt them?

I think automation helps because the machines can do jobs quickly and make things run smoothly. But it also hurts people because many workers do not feel needed anymore. In the story, some people have lost pride because a machine has taken over what they used to do. That makes me think technology can be useful, but it should not make people feel worthless.

Chapter 18: Paul keeps thinking about the farm and a different kind of life. What do you predict he will choose, and why?

I predict Paul will keep wanting the farm, even if it causes problems. The farm seems peaceful and real to him, unlike his job where he feels trapped. I think he wants to make his own choices instead of always doing what the company expects. He may not know exactly what to do yet, but he seems ready for a change.

Chapter 31: Some people seem excited when machines are broken. Why might breaking the machines feel good to them at first?

I think breaking the machines feels good to them because the machines have made them feel powerless for a long time. When they smash them, they finally feel like they can do something. It is like they are taking back control for a moment. But I also think it may not solve everything, because people still need a better plan for how to live afterward.