1. The narrator of Pearl commences with an address to the reader, “We may as well begin,” and continues on with his/her omniscient view of the story, with occasional asides to the reader. What is the effect of this narrative method? How does the narrator tell the story, and how does he/she guide us in making judgments about the narrative and the principal characters? Do we follow the narrator when he/she talks directly to us with asides such as, “Of course we do not agree with [Pearl]”? Do you like or trust the narrator?

2. The plot of Pearl, which unfolds in fifty-two chapters, takes place over the course of about one week (starting with Christmas Day, 1998, and ending just before New Year’s) and is interspersed with flashbacks focusing on the backgrounds and perspectives of the three main characters. Why did Mary Gordon choose this structure? What is its effect on you as a reader?

3. Describe the vital role religion plays in Pearl. How have Maria and Joseph been influenced, in similar and different ways, by their Catholic upbringings? How does the fact that Maria’s father is a Jewish convert to Catholicism affect him, his daughter, and Joseph? How has the lack of religion in Pearl’s childhood affected her? How are music and religion conjoined for many secondary characters in Pearl?

4. Discuss the themes of betrayal, guilt, and forgiveness in the novel. What types of betrayal occur? What are the causes and consequences? In what ways does each character forgive, and how is each forgiven by the end of the book? If you were Stevie’s mother, would you have forgiven Pearl? Would you have forgiven Joseph if you were Pearl? Would you have forgiven or rejected your father if you were Maria? Give some other examples of betrayal and forgiveness in the novel. What is the author saying about the nature of both betrayal and forgiveness?

5. What kind of mother is Maria? How do you think Maria’s lack of a mother affected her as a mother? What choices and sacrifices has she made as a single mother? How have these affected Pearl? Describe the other mother-child relationships in the novel: Breeda and Stevie, Joseph and Mrs. Kasperman.

6. What is the definition of family in this novel? What determines or undermines familial relationships? What is the significance of the lack of any traditional family unit (mother, father, and child)?

7. How does history, in particular the legacy of the 1960s and the Vietnam War, influence the plot of the novel? How do world events of the 1960s and 1970s affect the characters in the late 1990s? Why is Pearl so moved by recent Irish history? How are history and memory related in this novel?

8. In what ways is Pearl both sharing a story and commenting on the importance of stories and language in our lives? Why does Pearl write letters before willing herself to die? How and why does she use her body as language for her final message? In what way does Tom’s story bring Pearl back to life? Why does Maria use a children’s story to feel close to Pearl in the hospital? What is the importance of Pearl’s teaching Stevie to read using his own stories? How are the Dublin setting and Pearl’s studies related to the power of language and literature?

9. Maria is the daughter of a wealthy businessman and Joseph the son of his housekeeper. How have these class differences affected both characters? Does their social status hinder them or propel them to action? How does living in Dublin awaken Pearl’s social and class consciousness?

10. Discuss the various types of relationships in the novel and explain what defines them: parent—child; adult—child; friend—friend; doctor—patient; master—servant; male—female; teacher—student.

11. Explain the significance of art and beauty in Pearl. How has Joseph compromised himself and his aesthetic sense by taking over Mr. Meyers’s religious art business?

12. Joseph is a reserved, responsible, successful businessman and a good friend to Maria and Pearl. Explain his dual outbursts at the close of the novel–at dinner with Maria and in the hospital with Pearl. Is this excess of emotion in line with his personality, or is it the result of exhaustion and anxiety?

13. Discuss the fine line between captivity and freedom. What stifles the various characters–other people, external circumstances, innate personality traits? Is any character free? How has Maria both confined and freed her daughter by raising her to be both independent and dependent? How has Devorah’s gift and Joseph’s devotion to her both inspired and enslaved her? How has duty and responsibility restrained Joseph from reaching his potential?

14. What are the various views of death represented in the novel? Do any of the characters accept and/or understand death? What is the importance of death in Pearl? How would you answer Pearl’s question, “Why is it that it’s life we want?”

15. In your view, what is the final message of Pearl?

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