1. What are the key traits of the Duke's personality? What does he appear to desire from life?

2. What motivates the Duke's desire to marry Saralinda?

3. What was the reason behind the Duke stopping the clocks in the castle by "slaying time"?

4. What are the defining characteristics of the Golux's personality? What seems to be his life goal?

5. How can we understand Thurber's decision to make the Golux also serve as Listen, the Duke's spy? What significance does the name Listen hold?

6. Why does the Duke refer to the Golux as merely a device?

7. As the Duke waits for Zorn's return, some peculiar items descend the stairs. What is occurring at that moment? What do these items imply?

8. Why do tears of sorrow endure indefinitely, while tears of laughter last only for two weeks?

9. Why is the Duke ultimately defeated by the Todal? What do you believe the Todal represents? What does its name imply?