Project Hail Mary

Weir suggests that when survival is on the line, the ends justify the means. Do you agree or disagree? Cite at least three examples from the text.

What changes do you notice in Grace once he is no longer isolated on the ship? Do his outlook or personality change after he meets Rocky? Cite at least three examples from the text.

How does Weir’s insistence on scientific accuracy affect the narrative? Which scenes might unfold most differently if Weir were not concerned with accuracy? Analyze at least two scenes.

How does Weir present food as both culturally and biologically important, and which—culture or biology—carries greater weight in the novel?

What narrative strategies does Weir use to communicate complex scientific ideas to the reader?

Is the novel optimistic or pessimistic about humanity’s ability to endure the effects of Astrophage while Project Hail Mary is underway? Explain your reasoning.

Weir uses different fonts and characters to represent different languages in the text, including musical notes, Eridian numerals, and Chinese and Cyrillic characters. What is the effect of using these visually distinct forms instead of simply providing translation?

Are Grace’s actions to save Rocky while under the influence of painkillers reckless or brave? Explain your reasoning using at least three citations from the text.