The following questions are intended to enhance your discussion,
spotlight memorable passages, and make your reading experience of
The Da Vinci Code even livelier.
1. As a symbologist, Robert Langdon has a wealth of academic
knowledge that helps him view the world in a unique way. Now that
you''ve read The Da Vinci Code, are there any
aspects of life/history/faith that you are seeing in a different
light?
2. Langdon and Teabing disagree as to whether the Sangreal
documents should be released to the world. If you were the Grand
Master of the Priory of Sion, would you release the documents? If
so, what do you think their effect would be?
3. What observations does this novel make about our past? How do
these ideas relate to our future?
4. Other than his fear of being framed for murder, what
motivates Langdon to follow this perilous quest? Do his motivations
change?
5. The novel''s "quest" involves numerous puzzles and codes. Did
you enjoy trying to solve these puzzles along with the characters?
Did you solve any of the puzzles before the characters did?
6. If you could spend a day in any of the places described in
this novel, where would it be, and why? The Louvre? Westminster
Abbey? Rosslyn Chapel? The Temple Church? Somewhere else?
7. Historian Leigh Teabing claims the founding fathers of
Christianity hijacked the good name of Jesus for political reasons.
Do you agree? Does the historical evidence support Teabing''s
claim?
8. Has this book changed your ideas about faith, religion, or
history in any way?
9. Would you rather live in a world without religion or a world
without science?
10. Saunière placed a lot of confidence in Langdon. Was this
confidence well-placed? What other options might Saunière have had?
Did Saunière make the right decision separating Sophie from the
rest of her family?
11. Do you imagine Langdon should forgive Teabing for his
misguided actions? On the other hand, do you think Teabing should
forgive Langdon for refusing to release the Sangreal documents?
12. Does the world have a right to know all aspects of
its history, or can an argument be made for keeping certain
information secret?
13. What is interesting about the way this story is told? How
are the episodes of the novel arranged and linked? In your
discussion, you might want to identify where the turning points in
the action are where those moments are after which everything is
different. Did you anticipate them?
14. What is the novel''s theme? What central message or idea
links all the other components of the novel together?
15. For most people, the word "God" feels holy, while the word
"Goddess" feels mythical. What are your thoughts on this? Do you
imagine those perceptions will ever change?
16. Will you look at the artwork of Da Vinci any differently now
that you know more about his "secret life?"