Walkin' the Dog
by Walter Mosley

List Price: $13.95
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 0316881716
Publisher: Time Warner Books

Socrates Fortlow, the popular ex-con hero of Walter Mosley's bestselling Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned, is back. Nine years out of prison, he's still living on the streets of Los Angeles, struggling to find the right path--a challenge, given that the police make Socrates their first suspect in every local crime--and confronting, ultimately, the most dangerous emotion of all: hope.

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1. Discuss Socrates' approach to daily life. Was he always so confident about what is morally right and wrong? What are the sources of his strength and hopefulness?

2. Socrates didn't "learn" through formal education. Discuss where his knowledge comes from and how it might be different from knowledge gained through formal education. Is Socrates aware of the power of his knowledge?

3. Discuss Socrates' relationship with Darryl. What did this relationship provide for Socrates that he did not have when he was in prison? What lessons does Socrates hope to teach Darryl? Is he successful?

4. How does Socrates feel about freedom in L.A.? Did he feel free as soon as he left prison? If not, why?

5. How does Socrates achieve personal triumph? What is it that compels him to "do the right thing" in each story?

6. Discuss Socrates' views on violence? Are there times when Socrates considers violent behavior acceptable? Do you agree with Socrates' position?

7. How does Socrates deal with issues of race and politics in his community?

8. When Darryl asks Socrates whether he is afraid of getting in trouble and being returned to jail, Socrates replies, "I'm scared'a livin' in my own skin, I'm scared of all the evil and sad I know" (p. 196). What does Socrates mean by this?

9. When Darryl asks Socrates whether he intended to kill Officer Cardwell, Socrates says, "The gun was out and he passed not three feet from me. But I just stood there-smiling, thinkin' 'bout how good it felt to be in my own skin" (p. 241). What accounts for the difference in Socrates' attitude? How has Socrates changed toward the end of Walkin' the Dog?

10. Discuss Socrates' community of African-Americans in Central L.A. Discuss their support system.

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