Mary Jane

Mary Jane undergoes a personal evolution over the course of the novel. Describe her journey. What sort of person is she at the beginning of the story? How is she different at the end? 

Cooking is described in multiple ways in the novel. Compare the cooking style of Mary Jane, Mrs. Dillard, and Bonnie. What value do you think the author places on each character because of their culinary skills? Why? 

Jimmy is addicted to drugs when the story begins, but he is able to get past his addiction by the tale’s conclusion. What elements of his past and present experience have led to his problem? What does he learn over the course of the story to help him overcome addiction?

Mary Jane develops a new sense of her own identity in the novel, but she isn’t the only character to do so. Choose two other individuals and discuss their personal growth. Why do you think they are able to change?

Compare the songs that Mary Jane sings in the Cone house with the music her mother prefers. What does the choice of musical material reveal about each character? What value judgment is the author making about the characters based on their choice of music? 

How was Sheba’s upbringing different from Jimmy’s? In what ways could her privileged past be seen as a prison? What are her insecurities related to her husband?

All the novel’s central characters undergo Journeys of Self-Discovery. Choose three individuals and describe their transformation throughout the story. Are the changes they make constructive or destructive? 

What are Mrs. Dillard’s values in life? How do these conflict with the values of the Cone household? Does she change her perspective by the end of the novel? If so, what is responsible for this change?