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These are questions for your group to consider during book club meetings, but, each of you should come prepared with at least one question for the group per meeting. You can use this as inspiration. Also keep them in mind as you read.

Core Discussion Questions

1. What are the major themes in this section of the book? How do they relate to the sociology of emotions?

2. How do historical events shape the emotional lives of the characters and their families?

3. In what ways do family traditions, expectations, and relationships evolve over generations in the book?

4. How does the novel portray the role of emotions in maintaining or challenging family bonds?

Critical Thinking and Analysis

5. How does the book illustrate the ways emotions are shaped by social, cultural, and historical contexts?

6. What social forces (e.g., war, migration, economic changes, discrimination) impact the emotional experiences of different generations in the book?

7. Are there noticeable differences in how emotions are expressed or understood across generations? What might explain these changes?

8. How does the novel depict power dynamics within families, and how do emotions reinforce or challenge these dynamics?

Personal and Social Connections

9. Can you relate any family dynamics in the book to your own experiences or observations?

10. What insights does the book offer about intergenerational trauma, resilience, or adaptation?

11. How do emotions in the book reflect broader societal changes, such as shifts in gender roles, class structures, or racial/ethnic identities?

12. How does this novel compare to real historical events or sociological studies on families and emotions?

Group Reflection and Engagement

13. What passages or moments stood out to you the most, and why?

14. Did any section of the book challenge or surprise you? How did your group interpret it?

15. What questions do you have about the historical or sociological aspects of the novel? How might your group research these further?

16. How is your group dynamic shaping the way you interpret the book? Are there different perspectives that have changed your understanding?

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What are the major themes in this section of the book? How do they relate to the sociology of emotions?

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What are the major themes in this section of the book? How do they relate to the sociology of emotions?

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Violence, family legacy, social status, generational conflicts. They all lead to strong emotions and internal conflicts for individuals, which in turn reflect on their decision-making.

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How do historical events shape the emotional lives of the characters and their families?

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How do historical events shape the emotional lives of the characters and their families?

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Eli - kidnapped by Comanches as a kid during 1800s, shaped the way he identifies and acts.

Jeannie - male-dominated industry, shapes how she strives for power. Eli's identity and experiences also greatly influenced her.

Peter - Mexican Revolution influenced the way he sees violence and racial tensions, and impacts his personal relationships with his family.

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Individual Emotions for Each Character (So far)

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Individual Emotions for Each Character (So far)

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Eli: overwhelmed, scared/fear.

Jeannie: sad/depressed

Peter: guilt

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What social forces (e.g., war, migration, economic changes, discrimination) impact the emotional experiences of different generations in the book?

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What social forces (e.g., war, migration, economic changes, discrimination) impact the emotional experiences of different generations in the book?

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Eli - uses a lot of slurs, blunt, talks as if everything is against him, standoff due to migration

economic changes - Jeannie and her attempts to sustain family legacy

Peter - in the middle of a lot of racial conflict (Mexican revolution) few that feels really bad for them (guilt)

all 3 victims of conflict, didn't deal with it very well

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expansion of themes of inter-generational violence, legacy, conflict

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individual emotions of each character, changes, additions, shifts

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Can you relate any family dynamics in the book to your own experiences or observations?

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Can you relate any family dynamics in the book to your own experiences or observations?

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In The Son by Philipp Meyer, family dynamics—especially between fathers and sons—are central to the story. The novel explores generational conflict, expectations, and the way trauma and history shape relationships within the McCullough family. Eli McCullough’s harsh, survivalist mentality influences his son, Peter, who struggles with his father’s moral compromises, and this tension continues into later generations.

If I relate this to personal experiences or observations, I would say that the theme of parental expectations resonates a lot. Many families, especially in cultures where tradition and legacy hold strong influence (like in Ghana), have generational tensions similar to Eli and Peter’s. Parents often expect their children to carry forward family values or ambitions, while the younger generation might question these beliefs or struggle to meet them.

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in what ways do the family traditions, expectations and relationship evolve over generations in the book? 

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in what ways do the family traditions, expectations and relationship evolve over generations in the book? 

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Ultimately, the family traditions and expectations evolve as each generation deals with the emotional inheritance of past traumas, struggles with identity, and attempts to break free from or uphold the legacies of their ancestors. The relationships evolve in ways that reflect personal growth, rebellion, and the tension between the past and the future.

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How do historical events shape the emotional lives of the characters and their families? - Kezia

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How do historical events shape the emotional lives of the characters and their families? - Kezia

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Chapters 24–36 of The Son demonstrate how the McCullough family's emotional lives are significantly impacted by historical events. Eli has a brutal, survivalist mentality that puts power before relationships as a result of his interactions with the Comanche and the bloody growth of Texas. Peter suffers from moral turmoil and remorse as a result of the García massacre, and he feels cut off from his family. Growing up in a male-dominated environment, Jeannie must deal with the emotional strain of proving herself in the economic world, which is influenced by the restrictions historically imposed on women. Generational trauma is caused by these incidents, and each character must deal with historical-shaped personal challenges.

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How does the novel portray the role of emotions in maintaining or challenging family bonds? Abena Keren

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How does the novel portray the role of emotions in maintaining or challenging family bonds? Abena Keren

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Chapters 24–36 of The Son show how emotions both uphold and weaken familial ties. Eli distances himself from his son, Peter, by repressing his feelings in order to hold onto power and expects his family to follow suit. Peter is estranged from his father and the family history due to his moral issues and guilt over the García slaughter. Jeannie, on the other hand, nevertheless experiences loneliness despite her desire and tenacity strengthening her bond with the McCullough name. The book demonstrates how accepting emotions can upend customs and change family dynamics, while repressing emotions frequently preserves power but erodes relationships.