What is the significance of the immortals’ game regarding the theme of The Exploration of Life and Death? What does the game represent for Fox, Brandt, and Death? How do Death and Brandt’s gambling compulsions affect Fox, and does he fully recover?

The Prelude is purposefully ambiguous to leave room for interpretation. What do you think the Prelude is about? Who are the three characters? How does the Prelude set up the themes of the novel? Provide specific examples.

How does the relationship between Fox and Brandt change over the course of the narrative? How does this relationship contrast with Viola and Tom’s romance, and how does deception play a role in each?