1. There is a fair amount of symbolism in The Underwater Window, including in the title. What purpose does the real underwater window serve, and how is the title symbolic?

2. What is the symbolism of the ready room? Doyle says Molly has been in a ready room herself. What does that mean?

3. Only a tiny fraction of swimmers become Olympic gold medalists. Should young swimmers be encouraged to dream of being gold medalists? Why is it worth the hours they put in if they don’t win gold medals? From the beginning of the novel to the end, how has Doyle grown?

4. From the beginning of the novel to the end, how has Doyle grown?

5. If Archie were a real person, would he be flattered or insulted by how he’s portrayed in The Underwater Window? How might Archie tell the story differently?

6. What is the meaning of swimming to someone who does not get fame or glory or money out of it? How can that meaning be “parlayed” on dry land? Can non-swimmers experience a parlay of that sort from other endeavors?

7. Do you have a bubble on your thumb? How can it be a good thing in your life?

8. Have you ever felt like Sheldon Kurtz? What did you do about it?

9. In Doyle’s choosing between Molly and Camille, what was (were) the deciding factor(s)? What does his choice say about his character?

10. What new fact or concept did you learn about the sport of swimming from this novel? Were you inspired to do anything after reading The Underwater Window?

11. Were you inspired to do anything after reading The Underwater Window?