Do you find Mrs. Grimes a sympathetic character? Why or why not? Cite specific passages from the text to support your point of view.

The narrator states that it was the woman's destiny to "feed animal life." Do you feel that this adequately explains the significance of the story? What are some of the other ideas and themes present in "Death in the Woods"?

Critics have suggested that Anderson's writing style was influenced by post-impressionist artists Paul Cezanne, Vincent van Gogh, and Paul Gaugin. Do some research into these artists' ideas about perception. How do they relate to the style of "Death in the Woods"—particularly, the narrator's changing perceptions of the old woman?

In his preface to Winesburg, Ohio Anderson describes his characters as "grotesques." Research some critical responses to Anderson's idea of "the grotesque" and relate your findings to...