DISCUSSION
QUESTIONS FOR
An
Elderly Lady Who Is Up to No Good
By
Helene Tursten
How would
you describe Maud? Does your description of her character vary from the
original impression at the introduction when comparing your impression of her
at the end of the story? If you could
sum up Maud in three words, what would the three words be? If Maud’s mental condition owned a term, what
would that medical mental term be?
9p. 85,
88, 90) Discuss the dangers of a person possessing manipulative qualities
versus someone who regularly possesses unnatural emotions. Next, discuss the dangers of the two together
and examples of how you have seen the two demonstrated in your own life. How do these two qualities create a perfect
storm in Maud?
(p. 4) Talk
about the building/apartment in which Maud lived in (the history, the size, the
state of, description, etc.).
(p. 6-9,
19, 24, 26) Who was Jasmin Schummeroff? Why did Maud possess such a distaste
for Jazmin?
(pgs.
26-27) By the time Maud had found out about Jazmin’s lust for her apartment,
her lying about the pastries, and the vulgar artwork Jazmin made, how would you
describe the average reader’s opinion of Jazmin?
(p. 10, 50)
Were you surprised by Maud’s tech-savvy nature? Why would this appeal or not appeal to the
reader?
(p.10) (p.
36) Analyze out loud about Jasmin’s “art sculpture”. Do you think that Tursten, the author, had an
objective in place for her reader?
(Distaste for men? Jasmin’s character to be unlikeable or unrelatable?)
(p. 11,
43-45, 49, 70, 131) Prior to Maud making plans to travel to Africa, she had traveled
frequently over a forty-year span. What
do you suppose was her motive to travel?
Why wouldn’t this typical for single, elderly women? Later in the story, Maud acknowledges the
need for cash by deciding to sell her silver, however there is little
explanation on how she was able to travel extensively previously. (p. 48) There
was mention of keeping her sister’s sickness benefits into a separate bank
account. She had made the comment about how candles were expensive (p.
73). Discuss the possibilities and realities
of her situation.
(p. 16)
Jasmin gave Maud an extra long hug to Maud before leaving. Why was this hug unusual? Do you believe there was an ulterior motive,
or do you think it was Maud’s speculations that made the hug so unusual?
(p. 40)
There was a scene of Maud reflecting of Jazmin’s murder. Instead of feeling triumph, she describes
herself experiencing “merely a calm serenity”. Explain why Maud would feel this
way.
2
(p. 12, 33)
What were the benefits of Maud not revealing all her working senses? What were some of the other “props” she used
to her advantage? Give examples of when she had used “aging” stereotypes. Name off some stereotype’s seniors might
commonly encounter. What would you
recommend specifically to upcoming generations in areas that they could improve
upon (when it comes how to treat elders/seniors)?
(p. 45)
After the death of her parents, Maud had been left to take care of her mentally
ill sister. Discuss her trials of this
position she took on. (Lietenant Gustaf
Adelsioo, college, not being able to leave home, Charlotte’s agoraphopia)
(pgs.
54-70) Maud discovers that her long lost x-fiance is set to marry one of her
old students, Zazza, a soft porn model.
Why do you suppose Maud was so bothered by Gustaff was marrying? Why do you think she chose to vindicate Zazza
rather than Gustaff, who had originally broken off the engagement (who was
coerced by her parents)? Where was she
able to derive so much hatred? What
possibly could be the driving force? Why would the author include the point
that Maud “never gave Zazza another thought”?
(p. 70)
Soon after Maud had murdered Zazza, and while contemplating how long she might
prolong her vacation, she commented; “Only time will tell.” What do you suppose she meant by this thought
in written in italics?
Maud
refers to her upstairs neighbor’s fighting as; “The Problem” (pgs. 76,
85-89). Why do you suppose one would
take this situation and define it as THEIR problem to solve? Why was Maud so resolute about “solving” the
problem?
(p. 79) Do
you believe Maud intentionally killed her sister? Discuss potential motives had she
intentionally killed her. Discuss the
domino effect an accidental death might incur.
Do you think things would have turned out differently for the other victims
had her sister not died, or do you think Maud’s killing spree was inevitable?
Compare
and contrast Maud’s victims (her sister, Jazmin, Zazza, neighbor man, Antique
dealer). Discuss the premeditated factors, motives, and the emotional and
personal gain.
(p. 88) On
Christmas Eve Maud found herself in annoyance once again with The Problem. She found herself clenching “her fists in
impotent fury” while feeling intensely compelled that she must do something
about it immediately though she had already made a decision she was eventually
going to “take care of it”. Can you
recall any situations within the story where Maud demonstrates empathy or
concern (other than for her own self) for others or things? (p. 95 Christmas, p. 151 – her father’s
shoes) Give other examples. Other than
the murders, give examples of Maud’s serious lack of principles and moral
standards (p. 50 stealing the computer and walker).
(p. 99)
Maud reports a dead body after following an intense smell to her father’s
study. During the immediate
investigation, questions arose about Maud and her ability to commit the
crime. What thoughts came to your mind
regarding Maud? (p. 112-3) Maud was
observed sobbing and was soaking up the compassion shown from the investigative
team. Talk about this charade and the
build-up of distrust you felt for Maud.
3
(p. 99-115)
At the beginning of the section, “The Antique Dealer’s Death”, Tursten
introduces the reader to Richard (Fru) and Mary Bergh. Why do you suppose Tursten chose to elaborate
on Richard’s history? Recall the
significance of Richard’s role within the story.
(p. 117)
Discuss the conversation between Richard and his friend, the retired detective
inspector, Nils Thoren.
(p. 138)
Maud was overly critical of the Antique Dealer’s veneers and clothing. What is your theory as to why she seemed to
be so hypercritical of others?
There were
several questionable innuendos woven within the story (p. 16 “hug”, p. 19
“Jazmin’s sex life”, p 129 “young women’s bodies”). Discuss any examples you might have picked up
on. Do you the author intended for these
events to be left obscure or were they examples of storyline that was
lost in translation.
Tursten’s
books have been translated into 21 languages and have even been made into
Swedish television shows. How might
interpretations vary in comparison to the original language in which it was written?
(p. 141)
Maud decided to “make her move” on the Antique Dealer after experiencing fury,
convinced that she was being swindled.
At what point did Maud convince herself that she must act? Yet, was it even clear that he was stealing
or was he merely examining items closely?
(p.
142-143) Maud came across to the reader as confidant when she described her
conceived plan as being “watertight”.
Discuss the short time it took her to conjure this plan and the measures
she took to follow out her cover-up plan.
Did you anticipate a flaw or discovery by the investigative team?
(p. 151-3)
Maud frequently displayed lack of remorse after the killing of each of her
victims, yet she acknowledged the dead body in her apartment as making things
less than perfect. What aspect of the
dead body do you believe bothered her?
(p. 155)
Maud donated her clothes (and evidence) to the Salvation Army, there was hint
that this was something she has done before.
Theorize on why a person like Maud might donate clothes “to those in
need”. Yet, there were some instances (p. 159 the grim smile she displayed
after she called in the “discovery” of the body, p. 157 the watching of The
Crows after the murder) where Maud came across as creepy. Explain this minor contrast of creepiness with
the hints of acknowledging people in need.
Where might Maud had drawn the line.
What was her social filter?
(p.
156-171) Maud exhibited master suppression techniques. Even though the reader is enlightened early
on, what were some more obvious signs that the other characters questioned,
particularly Embla Nystrom (p. 159) and Irene Huss (p. 169).
(p. 171)
The last paragraph of the story holds the quote; “Congratulations, little
Maud. You got away with it.” Embla, said this to herself in response to
her boss’s comment about making the Antique Dealer case, a cold case. Why did she say this to herself with an ironic
smile? Why do you think Embla was so
confidant in her theory?
Our
featured author is quoted as saying; “A glass devil is a person in whom evil
becomes transparent. People simply don't see it, despite the fact that it's
there all the time.” What is your
interpretation of what Tursten might be referring to? How might this concept be applied to An
Elderly Lady Who is Up to No Good?
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