51 pages • 1 hour read
Ann PatchettA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Describe the fairy-tale elements in the plot and characters in the novel. How does Patchett both rely upon and write against the grain of Western fairy tales?
Compare and contrast the mother-child relationships in the novel. How do women in the novel fail to fulfill or fulfill expectations for mothers? What are the consequences of their choices?
Is Elna a saint, an incompetent mother, or both? Take a stance on this question, and use evidence from the novel to support your stance.
By Ann Patchett