Topic 1

Through the course of her memoir, Williams has searched for the meaning behind her mother’s blank journals. Why do you think her mother’s journals were blank? What do you think Williams’ mother was trying to tell her?

Topic 2

Discuss the imagery of birds that Williams uses throughout her story. Why were birds so important to her? What did they symbolize?

Topic 3

Williams’ story details her search for her own unique voice. Discuss some of the experiences that helped to mold her voice.

Topic 4

Williams chose to go back to school, rather than have children. She believed this decision would help her to develop her voice. Why was this decision so hard for her?

Topic 5

If you had received Williams’ diagnosis, what course of action would you have chosen? Would you have elected to try surgery, even though it might have left you unable to...