How Far She Went

Compare and contrast the widow in “Lonesome Road Blues” and the divorced woman in “Hindsight” in terms of how each confronts her demons of loneliness and alienation.

Discuss the significance of gardening and the dying Solomon’s seal plants in the failed, 40-year marriage in “Solomon’s Seal.”

Compare and contrast the relationship between Old Man Teague and Thomas Teague with that of Thomas and his son, Dean. In what ways is one more or less authentic than the other? Is either relationship as authentic as the old man’s connection with Smokey Dawn?

Examine the imagery and scenery in the opening and closing paragraphs of “A Country Girl,” and then discuss how the music box serves as a symbolic representation of the town of Rydal and its residents.

Examine the instances of dogs dying throughout the collection. Compare and contrast how their deaths impact the actions of the characters and the outcomes of the stories.

Examine the language used in “How Far She Went” to describe the grandmother’s perspective of the granddaughter. Taking into consideration the comment she makes after killing the dog, “Around here, we bear our own burdens” (77), does the killing represent a choice of the girl over the dog, or an act she commits because she feels she has no choice but to accept the burden of the granddaughter?

“Manly Conclusions” ends without a clearly stated conclusion. The gun is missing, Dennis is gone, and the phone rings. Write an abridged ending to the story that suits its title.

After Angelina’s suicide attempt, Bonnie asks, “Why didn’t she want to read to the end of the book?” (122). Write a letter from Angelina to Bonnie explaining why.