2. When Marvin is leaving Hagar, a nurse comments that Hagar's heart keeps on going. In response, what comment does Marvin make to the nurse about his mother?

3. Hagar's new roommate is Sandra Wong, in the semi-private room of the hospital, is an Asian girl. Where does Hagar think she descended from?

4. What did Arlene have to do in order to bring John home?

5. When Hagar and John go to town to sell eggs, who does she see flirting with John?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 9, why do you think Hagar apologize to the nurse?

2. In the hospital what is the ultimate humiliation for Hagar, that causes her to have to give up total control? Does she accept this gracefully?

3. Explain the irony of Hagar being moved to a semi-private hospital room.

4. In Chapter 7, Hagar sees that Arlene is making the same mistakes she did. How is this true?

5. What do you see creating distance and hardness between Hagar and her sons, as well as everyone else?

6. What is Hagar waiting for in Chapter 10, and in what other ways has she waited in the book?

7. What is Hagar's view toward religion in Chapter 8?

8. Why do you think Hagar does not allow herself to cry in front of strangers?

9. Hagar finds something in common with Elva, a recognition. How was this foreshadowed at her first visit to the nursing home?

10. What turns out to be Hagar's biggest character flaws?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The stone angel in the cemetery is very symbolic throughout the novel.

Part 1) Describe the stone angel's significance in the cemetery?

Part 2) It has been carved without eyeballs, why is that important?

Part 3) How is Hagar like the stone angel at the beginning of the novel and at the end?

Essay Topic 2

Compare John Shipley to his father Bram.

Part 1) In what ways are they alike in the beginning?

Parts2) How are they more alike toward the end of the novel?

Part 3) When do you think Hagar notices their similarities?

Essay Topic 3

They say hindsight is 20/20. As an old woman Hagar looks back and sees how her life could have turned out differently if she had acted differently. Name a way her life could have been different:

Part 1) as a girl.

Part 2) as a married woman.

Part 3) as a mother.

Part 4) as an old lady.

(see the answer keys)

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