1. Young Penn profoundly disappoints his father, Admiral Penn, who responds with harsh discipline. At one moment, he disowns his son, and at another, he consigns him to the Tower of London, where Penn shivers through a long winter. Does young Penn meet the standards of a good son? And does Admiral Penn embody the qualities of a good father?

2. Admiral Penn envisions a future for young Penn as a notable statesman. Is it misguided for him to chart the course of his son's destiny? To what extent should parents wield influence over the dreams and aspirations of their children?

3. In a twist of fate, by embracing Quakerism and defying his father's wishes, Penn ultimately achieves what his father desired. He establishes Pennsylvania, champions religious freedom in Britain, and leaves an indelible mark on the U.S. Constitution. Would this have met Admiral Penn's approval?

4. Might Penn have been a more attentive father if he had not devoted so much of his energy to advocating for religious liberty and founding Pennsylvania? Consider the outcome of his son Billy's life. Should Penn shoulder the blame? How does this relate to the treatment he received from his own father? Who bears ultimate responsibility for Billy's actions?

5. Expelled from Oxford and imprisoned, does Penn exemplify virtue? Where lies the distinction between being morally good and merely respectable?

6. The Quakers' refusal to swear oaths, their reluctance to doff their hats to those in authority, and their habit of using the familiar "thee" instead of "you"—do they revel in defiance and discourtesy, or do they intend to convey significant messages? If so, what are these messages?