Understanding the story

1. What is a pedometer normally used for? Do you find it strange that in the story a pedometer also shows how old one is?

2. Why does the walker stop, and what are the reactions of the walkers?

3. Compare the characters of the walker and his brother.

4. What is the symbolism of the "things" which the people had dropped and how does the author express his opinion of their value?

5. Why does the walker have to pray that he might give up? Why doesn't he just stop walking?

6. In what way could the walkers on the road be described as narrow minded?

7. What is the symbolism of the walker's losing the last things he carrying as he pushes his way through the hedge?

8. Compare "the other side of the hedge" with the road. Where would you prefer to be?

9. Why does the walker feel himself imprisoned in the beautiful countryside?

10. What surprises you about the fact that "before long" the walker and his guide had reached the gate through which humanity had left "countless ages ago"?

11. What does the fact that the road "doubles so often" tell you about the author's confidence in "human progress"?

12. What is the walker's attitude towards the old man and the other who live "on the other side"? Do you agree with it?

13. What is ironical about the walker's own statement beginning: "Give me life...!"?

14. Why is the walker troubled at the sight of the second gate?

15. What is the double meaning in the words: "This is where your road ends"?

Style and language

1. This is obviously not a "true" story, but would you classify it as a legend, a fairy story, an allegory, a parable, a tale of the supernatural or a science-fiction story? Give brief definitions of the main characteristics of each of the above types of story and decide which fits this story best.

2. Symbolism. This story contains a lot of symbolism. The road, for example, stands for "the journey of life". There are many symbolic actions, such as when the old man closes the gate of horn. Pick out five symbolic objects and five symbolic actions and explain their "hidden meanings".

3. The author makes considerable use of irony. What do you understand by this term? What is ironical about the statement: "Science and the spirit of progress – those are the things that have made us what we are"? Find two other examples of irony from the story and say how they convey a deeper meaning to the reader.

Further discussion

1. What is the young man's attitude towards the road at the beginning of the story and why does his desire to return to it contradict his original willingness to leave it?

2. What is the mentality of the "people of the road" as revealed by the young man’s description of his brother, and how does this contrast with the mentality of the people "on the other side of the hedge"?

3. The young man argues logically for "progress" despite the evidence of his own eyes. What does the author wish to tell us about human nature by pointing out this contrast?

4. This story was written over 40 years ago. What has happened in that time to shake our faith in "human progress" even further?

5. How would you summarize the message of the story? Have you read stories like it? Discuss them.

6. Do you think that the last sentence could easily be left out without altering the message? What difference would it make?

7. Give a full stylistic analysis of the text.