Allegedly

In the novel, which of the characters experience loss? How do they cope with the trauma, and what are the lasting effects on each character? What are the lasting effects on the story line as a whole?

How are Mary and Momma alike? How are Mary and Momma different?

Which characters engender sympathy? Support your answer with examples from the novel.

Which characters have a dark side? Support your answer with examples from the novel.

How does Mary’s intelligence benefit her plight? In what ways might it be a detriment?

At the end of the book, Mary says, “Funny things don’t always work out the way you want them to, but so long as you get what you want in the end, the other things don’t seem all that bad” (386). What does Mary really want?

Why does Ms. Claire have a negative opinion of public education?

Does Momma love Mary? Support your response with examples from the beginning, middle, and end of the book.