How does the author depict the setting of Whitman? What details about its surroundings tell readers about the neighborhood the main characters reside in? How does it seem like the neighborhood has changed in their lifetime?

Coach Baum tells Bunny, “People don’t want to believe that they’re unsuccessful because they’re lazy. So they have to believe it’s luck” (189). What role does luck play in a person’s success? How has luck affected the book’s characters, and how does luck factor into Bunny’s future plans? Are there real-world examples that demonstrate the role of luck in success?

Wallace tells Nasir, “You’re safe here in your warm house. You’ve got a bed instead of a couch. A fridge full of food. A mom and dad who give a fuck about you [...] We’re living in the same city, but we’re in two different worlds. You may as well be on the moon” (216). What are the basic necessities or resources a person needs in order to thrive? Is it possible for a person to thrive without them? Cite examples from the text.