A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz Discussion Questions

 

A BIG LITTLE LIFE

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS by Nicole Thomas

1.       Koontz blamed Trixie, “The dog did it.”, when the rubber Kong toy smashed into and split an oil canvas painting.  Have you ever let a pet (or a human) take the blame for something when it was convenient?  What are some other things pets come in handy for?

2.      “The desire to remember words (listening attentively, for words they recognize), Koontz encourages us to consider his theory, “the conclusion that the dog also yearns to speak.”  Do you think dogs yearn to speak or communicate with us?

3.       (p. 6-7) Trixie reacted “spooky” when Dean revealed her as an “angel”.  Distancing herself, her behavior was extremely unusual for her.  What did you make out of this incident? (Paranormal? Complex? Paper thin theories?).  Later, the grandfather had said to Dean while out for a walk with Trixie; “You have been given stewardship of what you in your faith might call a holy soul.”  Having read the entire story, would you agree with him?

4.       (p. 8) “If we allow ourselves to be enchanted by the beauty of the ordinary, we begin to see that all things are extraordinary.”  Your thoughts?

5.       (p. 10-11, 12, 15, 146, 147) Why do you think Koontz decided on including his history with his family within this novel?  What did these revelations contribute to the story?

6.       (p. 16, 186, 218, 220) Koontz often included sarcasm while conveying stories.  (“something at the end of your nose”, “everyone believed Hitler too”) Do you think most readers appreciate this satire he applied to himself?

7.       (p.20, 211, 212) Koontz spoke fond of his dog, Trixie.  He also spoke fondly of his wife, Gerda.  Compare the similarities and examples he shares with the readers. 

8.       (p. 22) Koontz talks about during the last hour of our life.  He names two best places where one could be taken and refers to it being discussed within the Bible.  The two places are while one is in prayer and the other is while we are engaged in work.  Talk about why you agree or disagree with this. 

9.       (p. 23) Is there a perfect circumstance to getting a dog?  Deana and Gerta finally, after 30 years of marriage, finally decide it is the “right” time.  Discuss the pros and cons of overthinking/underthinking about getting a dog/pet.

10.   (p. 22, 26, 27) The Koontz’ become very involved with the organization, Canine Companions for Independence (CCI).  Discuss this organization as well as other animal related organizations that have accomplished great things for animals and humans alike.

11.   (p. 33, 147-150) Koontz wrote many books with dogs featured as characters: Midnight, Beloved, Watchers, Dragon Tears.  Discuss how getting Trixie might’ve influenced how he approached writing.

12.   (p. 35) Koontz states that the most important quality anyone can possess is character.  Do you agree with this?  How does this trait correlate with our story?

13.   (p.36) The Koontz’ friend, Mike insists that bringing a dog into their life will make their life more normal as opposed to the abnormal life they had been living.  Discuss the concepts of normal versus abnormal living. 

14.   (p. 37, 72-3) When they first acquired Trixie, Gerda and Dean were told by Judy, the director of CCI, that “if this dog does something wrong, the fault will be yours, not hers.”  What further events occurred that were directly related to this advice?  How could this be a good philosophy to apply to our lives?

15.   There were sweet examples of what dogs do and what we, as their “owners” get to witness and appreciate.  One example within the story is during the first night of Trixie’s arrival, Dean awoke to find that Trixie was staring at him while he had been sleeping.  Contented after an assured pet, Trixie went to go lay down as if her analysis of her new family and home was sufficient. Another example was while at their beach house, Dean had been walking Trixie and saw that she took in life with constant amazement, which made inspired him to look at things from a new perspective. Discuss sweet examples you’ve either heard about or you yourself have experienced with your dog?

16.   (p. 45) Trixie, at just the ideal moment, triggered the cowboy doll to begin to sing.  Do you suppose Trixie had any knowledge about the topic of conversation?  Why do you think Trixie took such measures to focus in on this object in the house?

17.   (p.50, 51) G.K. Chesterton, an author wrote about the importance of laughter in a well-lived life.  He said, “A man and a woman cannot live together without having against each other a kind of everlasting joke. Each has discovered that the other is not only a fool, but a great fool.”  Dean explains that dogs love to play the fool and as part of the family they’re quite capable of recognizing the fool in us.  He also insists that they’re capable of celebrating this recognition with a joke now and then.  Trixie seemed to be laughing at Dean while he was setting up mouse traps in his house.  She even backed away from him, insinuating that his tactics were not to be trusted.  Have you ever been laughed at by a dog?

18.   (p. 57, 59, 210, 226, 235) Consider Trixie’s “pottying territory preference” even while enduring tummy trouble and insisting to go on the neighbor’s lawn and not her own.  (p. 70) Dean also proposed that when Trixie left the chicken at the restaurant, that was tossed to her by another customer, that Trixie seemed to take pride at having done the right thing. Later, in the book, Koontz discusses that he believed there “was something unique and significant about Trixie” after the incident with the grandfather who told him “A wonderful truth about your dog”.  Remember how Trixie seemed “transfixed” while watching a movie? Or when Trixie uncanny posing skills?  Was Trixie exceptional? Or do we tend to see the exceptional traits only in our own pets that many are unable to see?  Or do many of us fail to recognize these special characteristics?

19.   (p. 64, 90, 72, 87) Being humble about himself was often seen when Koontz talked about himself.  (Examples include bad at throwing, not mechanically inclined, poor conduct, Christmas present giving) Considering his accomplishments, do you think Koontz is exceptional?

20.   (p.78) Koontz proposes that the primary purpose of dogs might be restoring our sense of wonder and to help us maintain it, to make us consider that we should trust our intuition as they theirs, and to help us realize that a thing known intuitively can be as real as anything known by material experience.  What do you think a dog’s primary purpose is?

21.   (p. 81, 176) Koontz is adamant that much of what we think we know about dog emotion is underestimated.  Arguing that these so-called specialists are handicapped by their education that drives them into ignorance, dismissing common sense that these creatures have emotions very much like our own.  He discusses this just after Trixie displayed an obvious realization that the Koontz home was her forever home and before the story of Trixie clearly depicting (while riding on Gerda’s lap in the car) that she genuinely felt “this is where I belong”.  Discuss animal (dog) emotion and when you’ve personally witnessed its display.

22.   (p. 98) Koontz, during some pretty intense ball play with Trixie, was accidently snagged by Trixie’s tooth.  After a trip to the ER and many defensive explanations later, he pleaded with the doctor NOT to file a report for a “dog bite” with authorities.  After Koontz had made his desperate plea, do you think the doctor filed the report?

23.   (p. 41-2, 103) After a sleepless Fourth of July night with Trixie, Gerda commented that she “wouldn’t trade the experience for the world”.  Explain what you think she meant by this.  Can you relate? 

24.   (p. 107-9) Dean and Gerda were awakened during the night by Trixie who had raced down the hall attentive to someone they couldn’t see.  She sat peering up, seemingly wagging her tail at nothing.  The moment was described as; “…meaningful revealing a special quality that cannot be easily defined but that was central to this dog’s uniqueness.”  Agree?  What is your theory as to why Trixie behaved in such a manner?  Was she “enchanted” as they assumed, by something? 

25.   (p.112, 113) Creepy “X” seemed to have possessed some ulterior motives when it came to him having a relationship with the Koontz’s.  Trixie, apparently, had him all figured out in very beginning.  Dean claims dogs study us.  Do you believe dogs have a better judge of character of us than human beings of each other?

26.   (p.132, 134, 140, 143, 145, 146, 150-4, 205) JOY, WONDER, and GRATITUDE was a central theme in Dean’s story of his dog Trixie.  He believed dogs didn’t necessarily know the meaning of life, but they were an important step toward the discovery of the meaning of joy.  Even finding joy in something as simple as a plate of nachos.  He further describes her earnest joyful trick on the pool float, the joy she found in tennis balls even to the point of possibly learning to “say” the word, “baw”, the sense of wonder while discovering the world above her in the sky as well as the world below in the sea.  He believed that this inner joy dogs must experience from their innocence of such a soul, must be the most exhilarating feeling ever.  Koontz considers his time with Trixie as life changing, awakening a sense of wonder and inspiration.  Describe a JOYful experience that inspired you to make changes within your life. 

27.   (p. 146) Koontz claims that “wisdom without wonder is not true wisdom at all, but only a set of practical skills married to tactical shrewdness of one degree or another.  Wonder inspires curiosity, and curiosity keeps the mind from becoming sick with irrational ideologies and stultified with dogma.”  He further explains that one’s sense of wonder is reliant on the “beautiful machine of natural law” that is often dispirited by perception of the world.  Can you possess WISDOM/WONDER without the other?

28.   (p. 224)” …any dog is remarkably grateful for each kindness it receives; Gerda and I were grateful for every day this joyous creature graced our lives.  The only wisdom is humility, which engenders gratitude, and humility is the condition of the heart essential for us to know peace.” Koontz describes “the remarkable and constant gratitude that dogs express for what we give them.”  Discuss GRATITUDE being a theme. 

29.   (p. 152) Do you believe you are a different person today in having a dog as opposed to if you never have had the experience?

30.   (p. 153, 156, 158, 165, 176) Dean has often been accused of anthropomorphizing in his novels about dogs.  Does he give excess affection for these creatures?  Does God’s grace extend to these animals?  Though dogs’ minds are different than ours, they possess individuality, self-awareness, and can reason cause and effect.  So, why do we resist the possibility that they have intuition, experience emotion, and possess intelligence?

31.   (p.178, 183, 205) Dean explains we’re all born with a TAO, a code of virtuous conduct, a soul.  If dogs are aware of mortality, then some might argue that this would demonstrate intuition.  Intuition, in turn could indicate differentiating between right/wrong, possessing a sense of pride, risking life for another, etc.  How much credit should we give them? Do you believe God has given animals souls? Dean doesn’t talk much about the area of dog aggression other than tracing all dogs’ faults on humans.  How would you further explain dog problems?

 

32.   (p. 190, 246, 253) GRIEF was also a gentle theme included in Koontz story about Trixie. He states grief is “…a reminder to cherish what you love while you have it, so that when it passes, you will have memories of joy to sustain you.”  When faced with the possibility of Trixie’s biopsy coming back positive for cancer, Dean prays that if “she must leave us, we be given the strength to cope with out grief, because her perfect innocence and loyalty and gift for affection constituted an immeasurable loss.’  After Trixie’s passing, he writes, “Love and loss are inextricably entwined because we are mortal and can know love only under the condition that what we love will inevitably be lost.    Discuss GRIEF and its role in the story. 

33.   (p. 222) “When we have the deepest of affection for a dog, we do not possess that love but are possessed by it, and sometimes it takes us by surprise, overwhelms us.  As quick and agile and strong as a dog may be, as in harmony with nature and as sure of its place in the vertical of sacred order as it may be a dog is vulnerable to all the afflictions and misfortunes of this world.  When we take a dog into our lives, we ask for its trust, and the trust is freely given.  We promise, I will always love you and bring you through troubled times.  This promise is sincerely, solemnly made.  But in the dog’s life as in our own, there come those moments when we are not in control, when we are forced to acknowledge our essential helplessness.”  Koontz quotes T.S. Elliot; “The only wisdom we can hope to acquire / Is the wisdom of humility.”  Talk about what this means to you. 

 

34.   (p. 103) “I will always love you and bring you safely through troubled times.”  Koontz is reminded of his promise to Trixie during the traumatic night of fireworks and again when Trixie is facing surgery.  Talk about the promises we make to our animals.  Are these promises any different to promises we make to people?

35.   Dean Koontz claimed to have learned many things from his dog, Trixie.  What have you learned from Trixie?

p. 180 great paragraph about the joy a dog brings

p. 190 paragraph regarding the greatest gift from dogs is the tenderness they evoke in us…

p. 241 philosophical T.S. Eliot regarding the destiny of one’s soul

p. 263 Dean’s response to those who comment; “She was only a dog.”

p. 267-269 ******closing words by author*****

Discussion Questions for White Like Her, Author, Gail Lukasik

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR WHITE LIKE HER by Gail Lukasik

(Questions by Nicole Thomas)

 

1)     (p. 145) Lukasik refers many times to her mother’s “grief” in the context of her mother’s secrets.  She calls her mom “...a woman who’d prided herself on her beauty, who used her beauty to her advantage, was she mourning her loss of romantic love or was she mourning what she traded for love?”. What did the author mean by this?  To what extent do you think her mother truly endured grief as Gail was oblivious to this “grief” for most of her life?  (p.249) Were there any instances where you feel Lukasik may have jumped to conclusions regarding her mother’s feelings and attitudes?

2)      Do you believe that owning a mixed racial heritage is important today?

3)      How do you feel about the importance of racial identity?  Do you believe it is important?  How do you believe one can benefit by making it important?  How do you think it might assert the opposite of what the author might believe? 

4)      (p. 32) Should your ethnic identity take precedence over your racial identity?  When, if ever, are these relevant?

5)      (p. 41-43, 50) Was Gail honoring or dishonoring her mother by revealing her secrets publicly? Are we obligated as parents to reveal our entire past to our children?  Did Gail have anything to lose?  Did Gail have anything to gain during this journey?  

6)      (p.81, 141) Lukasik took on a persona that she was a shy, quiet person, yet was very motivated to apply for the televised show.  She continued to claim she didn’t like all the attention and was uncomfortable with revealing her family’s secrets publicly.  She later writes a book about the whole experience, goes on televised interviews, and accepts public speaking events with little hesitations. What does this say about her validity of her stances? 

7)      Do you believe there were double standards held within “White Like Her”?  For instance, would there be a different accountability held for a black woman to pass as a white woman versus a white woman passing as a black woman.  There’s another example that the author’s mother broke the pattern of endogamous marriages even though there the opposite occurred less than 100 years before (p. 165).

8)      (p. 33) Define your “authentic self”.  Would you ever base this on your skin color? Your culture, family, religion, character?

9)      (p. 39, 55) Lukasik described her mother as not affectionate and often would “…find fault in me.” She goes further in her concern of being like her mother; “content to live in the convenience and ease of half-truths”.  What is your take on Lukasik’s insecurities and how her childhood experiences may have affected her adulthood?

10)   (p.43) Gail expresses that she “never truly knew her as a person” while discussing her mom.  Do we ever truly know people?

11)   (p.63) Gail’s mother was obsessed with her appearance.  Wearing make-up to bed, avoiding the sun, etc. Gail often would refer to her mother as having to lose her family over her skin color.  Her mother also was not truthful about her Aunt Laura’s disappearance.  Consider the possibility of her mother being on the “outs” with her family/ dysfunctional roots and that being the reason why she sought refuge – in CA (p. 138) and then later with marriage. 

12)   (p. 95) The author claims her mother might’ve been following the familial pattern that had been established so early in her life. “Family slipping in and out, not to be relied upon or sought after, the rejection too deep to matter, better to let them go, consider them dead.” Do you believe with the author’s assessment of her mother’s attitude regarding family?  Discuss the role of family in this book. 

13)   Let’s discuss the following opinionated statement; By creating an underclass, another group stands to profit financially and in other ways.  How might this attribute to history and current times?  How could using this approach contribute to Marxism (the oppressor and the oppressed), BLM, WOKE, anti-cop agendas? (p. 248, 253)

14)   (p. 80) Gail’s mother begs her not to reveal her racial secret until she passed away.  Why do YOU think her mother was so adamant, even in such modern times as the late 1980s?

15)   Do you believe systemic racism exists in our country?

16)   (p. 179) The author accuses her own working-class town of Parma, of being born of cultural racism.  She believes they were fostered in the tight ethic Cleveland communities, where many of them grew up.  In the same paragraph she calls her own father a racist.  (p. 182) She later describes that her dad was racist because of him being vocal using bigotry words such as jig-a-boo, spear chucker, and coon.  How do you feel about her accusation of her father? (p. 224) Describe Gail’s relationship with her father. 

17)   (p. 84-5, 96) Ula, her aunt, who was white enough to pass for white, made conscious choices to socialize with the black community.  She turned down an opportunity for a job and a college education because she didn’t want to live totally as white.  Alvera, also chose to not associate with “Aunt Laura” for a reason that wasn’t revealed. Laura and Edward chose to live as white.  Using “choice” as the theme, do you believe turning their backs on their family’s was part of their choice?  Do you believe they regretted their decision?  Do you believe the decision to escape/or not to escape their black heritage and capitalize on their white appearance was/would’ve been worth it?

18)   (p. 191-2) Gail is hard on her friend when her friend made a bad tasting joke regarding “cracking the whip”.  She became very defensive of her “African heritage” and felt her friend saw her differently and in turn she saw her friend differently.  What is your take on how she reacted? 

19)   Consider if we had no Ancestry.com.  Consider there was no Genealogy Roadshow or Who Do You Think You Are television series.  Imagine the lack of knowledge we would have about our ancestral history.  When do you feel it is important for us to know our own history?  What factors seem unimportant?

20)   How would you personally feel if you found you had a black heritage in your family line?  Why do you think it was so important to Gail Lukasik? 

21)   (p. 192, 209, 219) Lukasik was determined to find evidence of a slave within her family line, and finally her enslaved ancestor, Marta.  (p. 192) Before, when facing dead ends, she was concerned she would “have no slave story to tell”.  (p. 195) She comments; “I’m left with a dilemma many genealogists face when the records don’t support their suppositions and often their desires.  Who finds her statement disturbing?

22)   (p. 219) What do you think was Gail’s reason for writing this book? 

23)   (p. 240) Gail uses the term “color line” when discussing her mother’s choice of passing for white or black.  What sort of problems would you anticipate when individuals within a society began dividing citizens based upon color?

24)   (p. 253, 258) Lukasik is offended when a member of the audience during one of her presentations about race and her mother’s story.  The lady asks, “What are you?”  Why do you suppose Gail became so ruffled?  Was she justified?  She later states that she’s offended by people’s need to dissect her past.  What do you think about her stance?

COME JOIN US!!

 Our current book club schedule:

April 13th

Book: White Like Her/Gail Lukasik, PhD

Host: Barb Shimek

May 10th

Book: A Big Little Life/Dean Koontz

Host: Ms. Darlene Thomas

June 14th

Book:

Host:

July 12th

Book:

Host:

A poem written by Nicole Thomas in honor of our featured January book; A Piece of the Moon by Chris Fabry

 A PIECE OF THE MOON

Our wandering eyes tend to land

on the glitter and gold scattered about.

We waver and fall, only to miss,

Too many blessings for us to count.

 

Those special items held deep within

That mean more than a cent or two,

Held dear like a Christmas memory

Or a prayer we’d pray to come true.

 

In those fleeting moments,

When falling stars may fall,

May we reconsider and remember,

The most important things of all.

 

Blissful wishing, often forgetting,

We tend to blink too soon

For deep inside, tucked away

We’ve already been given a piece of the moon.

UPCOMING MONTHLY BOOK SCHEDULE 2022

 

February 8th

Book: The Inheritance Games/Barnes

Host: Lara Schab

March 8th

Book: The Ride of Her Life/Letts

Host: Sheri Wilkins

April 13th

Book: 

Host: Barb Shimek

Discussion Questions for A Piece of the Moon by Chris Fabry (composed by Nicole Thomas)

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR

THE PIECE OF THE MOON

 BY CHRIS FABRY

 

Think back to the beginning of the book.  There was one verse and two quotes given.  Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.  Proverbs 15:16 Everyone is a moon and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.  Mark Twain All good songs leak from a broken heart.  Mack Strum Reading them now, what are your thoughts on how they pertain to the story.  Compare your understandings before and after you read the story – or did they not change at all?

The very first sentence in the Prologue states; “Love, like treasure, stays buried until somebody decides to dig.”  The prologue proceeds to describe Gideon’s experience with hearing from the Lord and delves further into his vision and how he carries out his mission.  At the end of the Prologue, the last sentence questions the reader; “Whether he actually heard from the Lord, I’ll let you decide.”  Here is your opportunity…. Do you think Gideon was carrying out God’s plan?

p. 2 Gideon acknowledged that despite his confusion on what the Lord was telling him, he was able to focus on something other than his wife’s death.  Share if you can identify with taking up another focus.  Would you describe Gideon’s mission a healthy preoccupation?

p. 3, 23, 114, 212 “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36. Gideon included biblical clues for eternal life.  His theme was “true treasure”.  Describe this true treasure Gideon referred to. 

p. 3-4, 313 The hiding of the ark.  Luke 24, Acts of the Apostles, Ch. 2.  Hints were given in the beginning of the book, but not so apparent until the end of the story was revealed.  What sort of premonitions regarding the hunt for the treasure, did you solve on your own prior to the end?

p. 11 Robby, the pastor, says to himself, “The treasure wouldn’t sway his heart towards temporal things.” But, then later states, “Blessed are the pure in heart.”  Was Robbie being true to himself? Discuss how easily one could fool himself into justifying something wrong.  P. 56 In Robbie’s box of research TD finds a clipping of Gideon being interviewed. Gideon describes two treasures.  One being in the Bible that lasts for eternity and then the temporal treasure that he advises can be found “in a place where it all began.” Do you remember what he meant by this? Ephra is what TD speculated that Gideon meant, which ultimately his speculations led him to finding Robbie.  But where was the place “where it all began”?  (p. 164)

p.  12 Robbie experiences fear and quotes to himself about the verse in Romans about doubt; "everything that does not come from faith is sin" (Romans 14:22-23 ).   Robbie probably had regrets at the point when he fell.  What would you have advised Robbie prior to him descending the rock wall? p. 199 Robbie gained a new philosophy; “Don’t wear yourself out to get rich.”  Compare this new philosophy to his old one. 

p. 15 When referring to the various employees of Country 16, Waite thought; “…everybody deserved a second chance.”.  p. 260 and then again on page 341, Clay pleads to Emily, Waite’s daughter to give her daddy a second chance.   Clay quotes Waite in a letter to Emily, “…the closest we ever get to loving others like God loved us is when we give somebody a second chance to hurt us.  Discuss times in the book where this quote could be applied.  Discuss the possibility of “second chances” being the theme of the book. 

p. 16-17, 263, 341 A Piece of the Moon – This song stuck to the wall of Waite’s heart.  All my life I’ve waited for you.  All my dreams are yours.  (p. 341 Clay writes to Emily telling her he thought this is what her daddy wants to say to her.) p. 346 Clay glances at the frame on Waite’s desk and comments; “Waiting’s hard, isn’t it?”  Discuss the theme of “waiting” in the story. 

MOON:

p. 122, 126, In a story, a character, an action, an object, or an animal can be symbolic. Often these symbols stand for something abstract, like a force of nature, a condition of the world, or an idea.  The “moon”, an object held within the title, was also used as a symbol within the story.  Talk about what the moon might’ve represented or symbolized.  What moon details were included that provided interesting material?

p. 16 Waite gives thought about the moon and how it never seemed to have the problem of having to work hard to get where it was going.  “The moon moved on a whim and chose between full or half or quarter whenever it felt like it, or so it seemed.”

p. 187 TD to Pidge: “Is that the piece of the moon? If I figure this out, you’ll move ahead?”

p. 242 Emily leaves with a singer that came through town, Mack Strum

p. 264 Mack Strum explains the meaning of his song, A Piece of the Moon. 

CLUES:

p. 23, 155 Psalm 137:2 - We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

p. 35 Matt – For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 

p. 52 Riches make themselves wings and fly away like an eagle.

p. 56” …a place where it all began.”

p. 273 “This is the final clue about the treasure.  Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”  At this point Milton freaks out and exits to go after the dog.  However, prior to this knowledge of the hint, he expresses interest in the dog earlier in the story, and then quickly changes his mind over the dog having fleas.  When he originally confronts TD and Pidge, he insists he wants the dog, no argument. (p. 189) What could’ve been his original motive in obtaining his dad’s dog?

p. 115 “Acid Reflux” is mentioned in a conversation that Gideon had with Milton his son.  It’s mentioned again when Milton called Robbie and again during Franklin’s interview with TD.  On page 164, TD explains to Pidge how “acid reflux” is a relevant clue; his findings reveal the place “where it all began”.  Discuss how you felt about these “clues” revealed in the story.  Was their existence truly substantial?  Were they noteworthy, frustrating, etc. to you?

Pidge refers to her parents: “They were yoked like two horses to a plow, and they moved through life pulling something neither could see…”  p. 33 Pidge agreed with Waite Evers regarding his belief that everybody was broken on the inside and that most people tried to hide the cracks and move on like nothing happened.  Discuss how this is an ineffective approach to living life.  P. 304 After Pidge and TD kissed, Pidge felt as if “something like moonbeams were shooting out of her heart”.  She was “glad for the broken parts that let the feelings leak out like a sieve”. 

p. 124, 126 Pidge and TD had a lot of baggage.  Pidge described this as; “towing a lot of hurt bigger than what we can pull.”  Talk about this “hurt and baggage” she was referring to. 

p. 35 Gideon believed all the good and bad in life was a gift because God was working out His plan in his own way in His own time.  P. 112 God further revealed to Gideon that His ways are not our ways. How might this comprehension be applied to the people of Emmaus?

p. 149 TD wrestles with the theory of “everything happens for a reason”.  He asks Waite; “A deer jumping in front of Quidley – is that part of the plan?  Or is it a coincidence?  (p. 254) TD’s past held a lot of self-guilt.  He blamed himself for a long time that he didn’t have enough faith that his brother would be healed. (p. 198) Robbie has stated to TD that what happened to your family was God’s will.  TD took this particularly hard.  Do you think he took this too sensitively?   (p. 268) During the confrontation with his father, did TD opinion on how everything happens for a reason soften?

The Kid was introduced to Waite as a kid with a past.  Compare how you’d handle this troubled teen to how Waite handled him.  (p. 178) “A blade can be used for good and evil.” Waite gives The Kid a blade to edit and splice audio tape.  Is this responsibility something you would’ve considered giving to him?  How might have this single act, effectively help Clay?

(p. 186) Pidge: “All the money in the world’s not worth a hill of beans if you’re not willing to see the truth about yourself.” Later, Pidge tells TD “Something’s holding you back.”  Discuss how something from our past can influence our present days. 

p. 45 Milton Quidley was the antagonist of the story.  Examine how he provided contrast, exhibited suspense, and how his opposition might’ve contributed to the book.   P. 60 Waite believed he was just scared.  What do you think Milton feared? On page 170, the author writes, “That which is foreign is often feared, especially when it comes to prayer.”  Would this analogy be able to be applied to the character, Milton Quidley?

p. 207 Milton “pulled the plug” on his father.  What do you think the author was trying to achieve by removing Gideon’s voice from the story at this point? 

p. 67, 68 Waite was a man of wisdom, was full of good advice.  Were there any words of wisdom from Waite’s character that resonated with you?  Examples of his advice include.

p. 66 “Don’t go changing Ardelle.  You’re good the way you are.”

p. 68 “All who wrestled in the mud got dirty.  He’d learned that the hard way. He’d also learned that some people had the spiritual gift of discouragement.  Wisdom said it was best not to indulge them.”

p. 82 “From my experience, whatever doesn’t kill you will back up and try again.”

p. 170 “…that all most people needed was a little encouragement and about half as much criticism in order to succeed.”

p. 343 “sometimes people get themselves in situations they can’t see a way out of…”

p. 123, 308, 310, 311, 315, 319, 327-8 After much talk in the book about the “treasure”, what ideas crossed your mind in how might the treasure would be best used?  Any premonitions on how the townspeople might end up using it?  What would you do with a million dollars? Discuss the finding of the treasure.  Were you satisfied with who found the treasure and how it was used?

p. 217 The news of Gideon’s death sparks a massive treasure hunt; TD watched the slow unraveling of civility within his town.  What do you suppose instigates this sort of unraveling amongst people especially when it comes to material wealth? 

p. 233, 237. 239 Cody was hired as a new employee and his true character is revealed to Pidge and Clay.  Why role does Cody’s character play within the story?  What importance did he contribute?

p. 241 Waite comments to Clay while fishing that “this is how a Sunday afternoon is supposed to feel like.”  What is a Sunday afternoon supposed to feel like?

p. 241 While fishing, Waite comments to Clay that he’d trade all of Gideon’s treasure to see Emily and make things right again.  Waite makes note that Clay listens intently.  It struck him that one of the most powerful thing one can do is just listen.  It also occurred to him that from all the wisdom he used to impact others, he needed that wisdom just as much as they did.  p. 20 Waite: “Sometimes love is less about what you say and more about what you don’t.  He’d learned that lesson the hard way.”  Considering these examples given, what did you take out of this part of the story?  What did you assume was Waite’s flaw(s)?

263-4 Waite listens to an old interview Possom does with Mack Strum.  Strum is asked “But why a piece of the moon?” He later comments,” “I think it’s a symbol for something you want so bad but feels just out of reach…”  During the interview Strum also reveals that the song wasn’t just about helping by giving somebody something that they didn’t have, but that people need each other more than anything.  Comments? Talk about Mack Strum.  What sort of person do you think he is?  Did Waite find forgiveness towards him?   After the reunion with Emily and the meeting of his grandchildren, do you believe he could listen to Mack Strums song again?  Do you believe his grandchildren were the children of Mack Strums?

p. 351 Waite reflected and made note that in country music there was a fair amount of revenge, bitterness, and regret, but not a lot of forgiveness.  He thought that maybe was the difference between country and gospel.  What do you think?

Discussion Questions for Imperial Woman (By Nicole Thomas)

 

Discussion Questions for Imperial Woman

1.       Discuss the Imperial Woman’s names that evolved/changed through the story.  (Orchid, Yehonala (p, 7), Tzu Hsi) Do you recall if they had any significance?  How did Imperial Woman personally change, if at all? 

2.       In Pearl S. Buck’s foreword, she described the Imperial Woman possessing good and evil that mingled in her while still holding a heroic demeanor.  Would you agree that she “wrestled” with good and evil?  Was there anything else you think she may have wrestled with?

3.       The Imperial color was described as yellow.  Name some other colors that were commonly used as either symbolisms, used often to describe the scenery, and/or used within the names of places.  (pgs. 24, 139, 143, 156, 159, 176, 183, 306-7, 330, 333)

4.       The process of choosing a spouse for people in power varied from entailed to casual selection from another.  (P. 223, 275) How might this have been useful/damaging during the Qing dynasty?

5.       In Chapter 6, there is mentioned of Yehonala acquiring a little dog to ease her loneliness.  Discuss her dogs and pets (p. 88) and what they might have contributed to her throughout her life and what they contributed to you as the reader. 

6.       Early in the story Tzu Hsi had in interest in painting (p. 21), reading literature, studying maps, wood cuts, etc.  Many of her talents grew to impressive levels.  How might these talents have contributed to her accomplishments in other areas?  How might they have failed her in important moments?

7.       Sakota was first to conceive the Emperor’s first child (p. 41) However, Yehonala supposedly conceived the Emperor’s second.  Gossip stirred (Ch. 7) not long after she had her son.  Discuss how might the author came to this conclusion so confidently. 

8.       How might Pearl S. Buck have come across enough details for her to “portray Tzu Hsi as accurately as possible from available resources and my own memories of how the Chinese whom I knew in my childhood felt about her.”?

9.       Jung Lu evolved subtly throughout the story.  At first, he seemed to have possessed less resistance towards Tzu Hsi (giving in to her “nightly call” (p. 37)) but then it appeared that he became the stronger of the two in flesh (and maybe even mind?).  Compare your first impression of Jung Lu (p. 4) and how you came to know him to be during his last days with Tzu Hsi (p. 202. 341). 

10.   In what ways did Jung Lu (p. 202, 293-295, 311, 313, 315) influence Imperial Woman?

11.   Compare and contrast the Manchu and the Chinese (pgs. 21, 47)

12.   Discuss European Imperialism and what role it played over Imperial Woman life span.

13.   In the beginning of the book, Li Lien-ying, originally assigned as her tutor (later became her faithful Eunuch and then lastly her Chief Eunuch), had a premonition and wrote the lines for Yehonala to read; “The Dragon awakes again, The day of the Phoenix has come.”  (p. 23).  How possibly could he have known (or maybe he truly did not) that Yehonala held so much potential?

14.   (p. 24) Yehonala refused to see the Emperor when summoned to his bed chamber without her little dog.  Le Lean Ling described her “mind more stubborn than a stone”.  Recollect other examples of where Yehonala’s temper made an appearance.  (pgs. 6, 162, 185)

15.   It became known that the Emperor was commonly treated with opium by his own eunuchs.  Sakota died from opium poisoning (p. 271).  Concubine Pearl died from swallowing a deathly dose of opium (p. 307).  Opium trade caused a serious social and economic disruption within China.  Discuss the Opium Wars (1 and 2) and how they affected Tzu Hsi’s life and the Qing dynasty.

16.   (p. 46-49, 130, 149) At one point, Yehonala insisted that she was informed of her present “foes”.  Throughout the story, she acquired many enemies.  Talk about these foes she frequently encountered.

17.   (p. 65, 71, 256, 261, 298) Discuss the themes; POWER, LOVE, WISDOM and how they presented themselves in Imperial Woman.

18.   (p. 75) Tzi Hsi understood that “she must first rule herself if she would rule others” (she read this in the Analects) and towards the end of the story, after the enemy had won, it dawns on her that “she would not shape the times but be shaped by them” (p. 328).  Did Tzu Hsi utterly understand and apply these lessons?  When and when not?

19.   Compare the original Dowager Mother to the latter Tzu Hsi, Dowager Mother. 

20.   (p. 63) “For it was this woman’s power that she could be almost what she feigned and planned to be, and so she became nearly what she would be, at any moment and in any place.  She was not deceiving, for she deceived herself as much as the person before whom she appeared.”  Should we give much acknowledgement to Tzu Hsi’s “power”?  Give an example of where she might have abused her use of power (p. 214)

21.   (p. 63) In Chinese culture, Emperors were believed to have descended from dragons.  Do you recall mention of dragons within the Buck’s novel?

22.   (p. 74) While discussing the intruding English with his viceroy, the Emperor agreed; “We cannot indeed allow strangers from other countries the freedom of our streets.”  Compare their governing to our present one (without getting too off-topic!). 

23.   Prince Kung had come home from after collecting taxes and his wife had commented that she wished they had been born poor (p 203, 205).  Would you agree with her feelings about their hierarchy status in comparison to the poor class? 

24.   (p. 77, 240, 241) At one point, Tzu Hsi had a dream about her mother and was overcome with loneliness as she described to the Son of Heaven.  She longed for her mother, yet she did not know why.  Do you suspect otherwise?  Or did the longing for her mother represent longing for something else (past, choice, regret?)? 

25.   (p. 82) Describe what realities Tzu Hsi met while visiting her childhood home and family. 

26.   (p. 193) Tzu Hsi had a unique relationship with her son, the heir.  (p. 235) She believed “she had given up all her womanhood for him, she had made his destiny her own” Do you agree?  From the limited time she had while he was young, to the controlling and contradicting nature she applied during his adolescence, and the authoritarian role she played when choosing his wife, discuss the timeline and certain moments that were more vivid to you than others.  Do you believe Imperial Woman caused her son’s death?

27.   Aside from Jung Lu, talk about Tzu Hsi’s relationship (trusting and distrusting) of other men (eunuchs included).  Discuss the role eunuchs played within the Qing dynasty.  Why did Jung Lu possess a dislike for eunuchs? (p. 279)

28.   There was mention of Buddhism in the latter half of the story.  (p. 149, 160, 197, 199, 218) Why do you suppose religion was not mentioned prior?

29.   Could you find any relation to Tzu Hsi when she arranged a marriage between Jung Lu and Mei?  How did you think she would react when discovering Jung Lu with his concubine (p. 266)?

30.   (p. 217) “As usual, she ignored what she could not solve.”  Has this approach always served her well?

31.   (p. 217) Discuss the philosophical approach of limiting exposure to outside culture and influences that China practiced with other nations. Discuss the pros and cons of a leader applying nationalism while ruling a nation.

32.   (p. 226, 299, 306, 307) Imperial Mother comments to her ladies; “You see how loving kindness conquers fear, even in animals.  Let this lesson be engraved upon your hearts.”  Tzu Hsi waivered much between being kind and ruthless.  What was her true nature?

33.   (p. 236) Buck writes; There is no end to the sorrows that children bring to their parents in palace or in hovel.  To what might this concept be applied in the book?  Do you agree with Buck’s assessment?

34.   (p. 241) Jung Lu responds to Tzu Hsi’s questioning, “I have no true sons”.  What does he mean by this?

35.   (p. 309) Consider Imperial Woman’s quote; “Does any nation give something, anything, for nothing?”

36.   (p. 328) Imperial Woman realizes she must leave the Forbidden City and flee.  In her overwhelming state, she opens her book and her eyes fell upon the words; “For lack of a broad mind and true understanding, a great purpose has been lost.” What does this mean to you and how would this be applied to her circumstance?  

37.   Do you agree that Tzu His eventually experienced a revelation?  (p. 341)

38.   (p. 346) Do you believe Tzu Hsi’s acquired nickname, Old Buddha, was a fitting one?  Do you have another that would have fit her better?