The Giver of Stars

Alice Van Cleve goes through a major character arc. Detail her character, from her marriage to Bennett to her later marriage to Fred, including major plot points.

Alice thinks of Margery O’Hare as a woman who acts like a man. Why does she initially think this? Using textual evidence, describe Margery’s characteristics and why others might consider her masculine.

Compare the librarians of the Baileyville Pack Horse Library. How are they similar in their aims and characters? How are they different?

Compare the men in the narrative, including Sven, Fred, and Bennett. How are they similar? Different?

Violence appears numerous times in the narrative. List several instances of violence, and then explain how the individuals who suffer from violence deal with their circumstances.

Men and women have vastly different roles in The Giver of Stars. Define the roles of men and women. How do some characters possibly transgress these roles?

JoJo Moyes includes poetry and prose quotes throughout the narrative, including excerpts from Black Beauty and Tender is the Night. How do these quotes work with the mood of the chapters they appear in? What do they represent?

Detail Sophia Kenworth’s life. What are the problems she faces? How does her life depict race relations in 1930s Appalachia?