Discussion Questions for Readers of Promising Young Man:

1.     What are some literary devices used to show the protagonist’s state-of-mind?

2.     What is Oscar’s Problem? Can you identify with it or does it remind you of someone you know?

3.     What is the role of Oscar’s parents? What kind of parents were they? How do they contribute to Oscar’s problem?

4.     What are Oscar’s ADHD traits? What are his paradoxes? Do his symptoms clash or conform with your idea of people with ADHD?

5.     What does Oscar mean when he says his umwelt “was different?”

6.     How does the incident at the diner change Oscar’s trajectory?

7.     Did you like Oscar? Would you be friends with him?

8.     What kind of person is Grammy? What is her problem?

9.     Why does Oscar react the way he does after reading the text messages on Grammy’s phone?

10.  What role does Mr. Henry play in Oscar’s life? Did you find similarities between the people in Oscar’s life at home and those he met on the road?

11.  How do the musical references complement the book’s theme?

12.  What addictions does Oscar experience? Are Oscar’s realizations about his addictions realistic?

13.  Is Christian a good friend? Is Oscar?

14.  What role does the Man Magnet play in the story? What are some other major metaphors?

15.  What are Oscar’s most important learnings?

16.  Does Oscar make the right choice in the end? Does Grammy?

17.  What do you think will happen to them after the story ends?

Comparative Discussion for those who’ve read both Promising Young Man by Elias Axel and A Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger:

Both Elias Axel and J.D. Salinger’s novels blend serious themes about adolescent alienation with humor, creating poignant explorations of the difficulty young people face when transitioning to adulthood in societies that often feel unwelcoming or incomprehensible.

Coming-of-Age Protagonists: Both feature 18-year-old troubled boys learning how to cope with the expectations of adulthood and struggling to find their identity and place in society. Like Holden Caulfield, Oscar feels misunderstood, mistake-riddled, and afraid of becoming a man.

First-Person Narrative Voice: Both novels use distinctive first-person narration. Oscar narrates his story as an 18-year-old, similar to how Holden tells his tale in his own voice, creating an intimate, direct connection with readers.

Themes of Alienation and Belonging: Both books explore the protagonist's struggle with fitting into society. Oscar is looking for acceptance, echoing Holden's desperate search for authentic connection and belonging in a world he finds false.

Dark Humor and Wit: Axel's novel mixes dark humor, raw emotions, and a teenage existential crisis, while Oscar is witty and defiant. This mirrors Salinger's use of Holden's sardonic humor to mask deeper pain and confusion.

Critique of Modern Society: Axel's novel is about finding purpose in our confusing world, examining contemporary societal pressures much like Holden critiques the adult world's "phoniness."

Journey Structure: While Holden wanders New York City, Oscar embarks on a cross-country road trip, suggesting both novels use physical journeys to mirror internal emotional and psychological development.

Character & Plot Similarities:

Numbing Agents: Both Oscar and Holden self-medicate, Oscar with weed and Holden with alcohol.

Parents: Both Oscar and Holden’s parents are notably absent for the majority of their stories.

Modus Operandi: Both Oscar and Holden are self-saboteurs who effectively make the choice to “leave” school, presumably ruining their respective futures; where each had an educator figure who believed in their potential.

Mental Health Issues: Both Oscar and Holden are dealing with trauma, Oscar with the treatment he experienced on account of his ADHD, and Holden with the death of his sibling.

What Are Some Notable Differences? How do these differences reflect the times each novel was written?