What religious imagery does Swarthout employ in Bless the Beasts and Children? Do you believe he intended to portray Cotton as a Christ figure? Why or why not?

What role does a sense of place play in this novel? How does this story illustrate themes and values of the American West?

How is Box Canyon Boys Camp a microcosm of the larger society? How are misfits penalized at the camp and in society?

What symbolic role does the buffalo play in the American psyche?

Explain how the Bedwetters' sense of teamwork and togetherness changes throughout the course of the novel. What does each boy contribute to the collective effort of the mission?