1. Is religion treated positively in this novel? Negatively?
Neither? Both? How?

2. Does the novel seem to end too soon? Why or who not?

3. What is your opinion of the manner in which Mattie Rigsbee,
standing before several “ghosts,” makes her decision to
take in Wesley Benfield.

4. Do you know people who remind you of Mattie Rigsbee?
If so, what are their shared characteristics?

5. The novel is over one-third finished when one of the main
characters, Wesley Benfield, is introduced. Does this delayed
entry seem to detract from or enhance the plot structure, and
how?

6. How would you interpret, psychologically, Mattie’s need
to feed people?

7. Do you think Mattie did a good job raising her children?
Why?

8. How would you describe Mattie’s relationship with her
church?

9. At one point in the story, Mattie speaks of marrying Wesley.
Is this her idea of a joke? A sign of senility or stroke? All
of the above? Neither?

10. Would this book be appropriate for high school readers?
Why?

11. In two sentences say what you think this book is about.

12. What are issues in this book that divide and will continue
to divide generations in the foreseeable future?

13. How does food play a part in your upbringing?

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