State of Terror

Ellen’s estranged son Gil is committed to his journalistic ethics. To what extent is he tempted to break his ethics to prevent a terrorist attack?

The loyalty of General Whitehead is a key issue throughout State of Terror. How does the shifting perception of his loyalty affect his portrayal as a character?

Betsy’s use of foul language is recognized by many other characters. To what extent does her use of language mark her as a political outsider? In what other ways is she free of the institutional restrictions?

Anahita’s story illustrates the way family and patriotism can be fraught with tension. How does Anahita deal with situations which force her to place her loyalty to her country over her loyalty to her family?

President Williams and Ellen become increasingly desperate and willing to operate outside the confines of the legal system. To what extent are their actions justified?

How does State of Terror blur the lines between fiction and reality?

Ellen struggles to decide whether former President Dunn is malicious or stupid. How does Dunn’s lack of intelligence inform his morality?

To what extent are the threats portrayed in the novel a result of forces innate to American society? Does the greater threat come from within the country or from external forces?