Discuss the setting of the novel and the contrasts between the midnight garden and the daytime world there. How does Pearce use these settings to explore the deeper themes of time, childhood, and adulthood? Consider Tom’s perception of these settings in your examination. How do the settings represent his feelings about them?

Analyze the novel’s discussion of time, both its passage and the impact of the past on the present. Consider the symbols used in the novel, like the grandfather clock and the river. How do they amplify the exploration of time in the novel?

Discuss how the author combines elements of historical fiction with fantasy in the novel. What effect does this blending of genres have on the characters’ development and the thematic meaning of the novel?