A Place to Hang the Moon

What makes people treat other people unfairly in times of social unrest? Choose one type of prejudice, inequality, or stigma in the novel and analyze how it affects the behaviors of the antagonistic characters involved.

What makes up a “family”? Consider both a broad perspective and the concept within the context of a single character. Use textual examples to support your argument.

Compare the Pearce children’s three billets. What is lacking in the earlier billets that is provided in their final billet? Why are these things important?

Research the evacuation of children from English cities in WW II. Why did this happen? What did northern communities feel about their towns being full of evacuees? Where possible, draw connections to the text.

Why is a third person omniscient point of view important in this text? What does it allow the author to do that a limited point of view could not? Why is it important for characterization?

Compare and contrast the different types of conflict in the novel. Choose at least two and use examples from the text.

Why are stories important during difficult times? What do they offer to their readers? You may use both textual and real-life examples of where stories make a difference.

Compare the Pearce children’s three potential mothers: Mrs. Forrester, Mrs. Griffith, and Mrs. Müller. What struggles do they face and how do they deal with them? Why is the way Mrs. Müller copes better than the other two?