Examine the role of history and mythology in shaping the events of the novel. How do ancient conflicts like the legacy of the T’lan Imass and the Jaghut inform the primary characters’ present-day actions?

The opening epigraph of the novel asserts the cyclical nature of history. This concept is echoed by various characters throughout the novel, especially Tool and Adjunct Lorn. How does the cyclical nature of history relate to the novel’s main themes? Does the novel suggest that history is doomed to repeat itself? Use specific examples from the text to support your argument.

Analyze two or three epigraphs that begin key chapters. What role do the epigraphs play in the narrative structure? How do they deepen the narrative’s exploration of central themes?