Harlem Shuffle

Ray is a furniture salesman and a part-time criminal. How does he balance these dual identities?

Freddie is Ray’s closest ally and his biggest threat. In what way does Ray’s love for Freddie place him in an impossible position?

Harlem is a community within the city of New York. In what way is Harlem more than a geographic area to the author and his characters?

Ray’s knowledge about furniture gives him a unique insight into the world around him. How does he use this knowledge to judge other people?

Racism is a constant malevolent force in Harlem Shuffle. How does the novel portray the prevalence of racism in society?

Many of the characters depend on self-delusion to keep themselves sane. Who is the most deluded character in the novel and why?

Pepper is a violent criminal who acknowledges his lack of morality. To what extent can Pepper be considered the most honest character in the novel?

Linus and his family represent the white upper echelons of New York society. In what way does the Van Wyck family illustrate the racial divides which exist in the city?

What is Ray’s primary motivation in life? Why does he undermine the success of his furniture store by engaging in criminal enterprise?