Lullabies for Little Criminals

Explain the significance of the title. What can be considered lullabies in the novel, and how do they deviate from the traditional understanding of a lullaby?

Explain the significance of Baby’s name. How does the meaning change from the beginning of the novel until the end? How does it connect with the primary theme of lost innocence?

Explore the idea of criminality in the novel, taking into account this quote: “When I thought of my old friend Linus Lucas and Theo, I realized they were not really criminals either. They were like me. We were just acting out the strangest, tragic little roles, pretending to be criminals in order to get by” (266). What is the difference between pretending to be a criminal versus actually becoming one?