Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Why is it that Gaines chose to structure his novel around a series of statements from characters that read like testimonies?
- Pay close attention to the characters you meet. Who are the insiders? Who are the outsiders? Why are the insiders important? Why are the outsiders important?
- Who seems to be doing all of the talking in Gaines's novel? How do the changes in perspective change the way we respond or react to what we read?
- What is racism? Is there only one kind of racism, or can people be racist in different ways, maybe even sometimes without realizing it? What do you think Gaines might say about that?
- How would the story be different if it were A Gathering of Young Women? What roles do age and gender play in the text?