Thomas Wolfe was a prominent figure during his era. To understand how his peers perceived him, delve into primary historical sources. For instance, read The Journey Down by Aline Bernstein, which recounts their passionate relationship from her perspective. How do you believe Wolfe's personality influenced his reputation?

What insights does Look Homeward, Angel offer about race relations? Did the novel's depiction of African Americans offend you? Investigate what other critics have said about Wolfe's views on race. Explore the African-American experience in early twentieth-century North Carolina and discuss how accurately the novel reflects these conditions.

One of Wolfe's goals in writing his debut novel was to establish a new tradition of southern literature. Did he achieve this? Read other works categorized as "literature of the South," such as William Faulkner's novels. What kind of tradition do these books follow? Do you think recent works by Toni Morrison, like Beloved, align with Wolfe's vision of a southern tradition?

Wolfe was fascinated by the concept of "the American experience." What might Walt Whitman or Henry David Thoreau think about this idea? Read some of their writings to find out. Compare and contrast Wolfe and these American romanticists with a contemporary writer like Philip Roth and his portrayal of the American experience in his novel American Pastoral.