Consider the debate between Gen and the magus about who has the right to stories. Do you agree with one of their perspectives, either that stories belong to their original people or that stories belong to the educated? Why or why not? If you completely agree with one of these perspectives, explain what makes it unquestionable and why it does the most justice to stories. If you don’t agree completely with one of these perspectives, what flaws do they have? Outline your beliefs, showing what, if anything, they borrow from Gen or the magus. What did this question teach you about the nature of stories?

Did you find Gen to be a sympathetic character? What about his personality and actions made you feel this way? Why do you think Turner chose to have her protagonist be such a difficult person, and how does this aspect of Gen’s personality add to or detract from the story?

The characters of The Thief have many discussions about rank and what makes someone important. Rank the members of the traveling party from most to least important and explain what each brings to the mission.