A Gathering of Days Study Questions & Topics for Discussion

A Gathering of Days Topics for Discussion

1. At the opening of the book, Catherine lists some of her deepest hopes and dreams. By the conclusion of the book, which of these have been fulfilled? Does she still have the same hopes and dreams, or have her values changed?

2. What is a "breaking out"? What does Catherine mean when she says that breaking out is "the closest a New Hampshire winter gets to the Fourth of July"?

3. How does Catherine feel about her mother? What had her mother been like?

4. How does Catherine feel about her new stepmother, and how do these feelings change over time? How does Ann feel about her new family and community? What hints do you think Ann and Catherine might give for learning to live in a step-family?

5. Why did the townspeople disapprove of studying the newspaper in school, and...
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