4. Marion remembers her mother’s social status as being what?
(a) A Socialist.
(b) A social leper.
(c) A socialite.
(d) A Fascist.

5. Becky’s friend Kim likes having sex at summer camp for what reason?
(a) Because it is easy.
(b) Because it is in the dark.
(c) Because it is hard.
(d) Because it is dirty.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Marion tell her therapist Russ is having an extra-marital affair with?

2. Who was hired at the church first as an associate pastor?

3. Clem’s girlfriend Sharon is how many inches shorter than he is?

4. What is the name of the psychiatrist whom Marion goes to for counseling?

5. Which of Perry’s family members finds him drunk at the Haefle party?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Sharon when Clem breaks up with him?

2. Marion always said that Shirley had no use for women, and only wanted men in her life. How does Marion end up being the same way in her own life?

3. What effect does the author present by mentioning Russ’s “humiliation” in the early pages of the book, but not explaining what happened for several hundred pages into the reading?

4. Why do Frances and Russ ignore Pastor Theo Crenshaw’s advice to leave the neighborhood boy Ronnie alone?

5. Why does Perry say that he is “damned” at the Haefle party, when he gets caught getting drunk by his mother?

6. Why does Russ wear his old work coat when he is around Frances?

7. What was Frances Cottrell’s marriage like to her husband before he died?

8. Why does Marion still feel obsessed with Bradley 30 years after their love affair?

9. How does Clem realize Russ is “blackening” Rick Ambrose’s name?

10. Why does Marion still feel guilty for her father’s suicide?

(see the answer keys)

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