3. Sandra, Hagar's roommate in the hospital, is angry with Hagar when she is wheeled back in after surgery to remove her appendix. Why is Sandra angry with Hagar?

4. Where did Elva attend church, and how far was it from Manawaka?

5. In the privacy of her own bedroom, why didn't Hagar cry for her dead son?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the beginning of Chapter 6, Hagar is concerned about intruders coming into the house where she is at the cannery. She thinks that Bram would have taken care of anyone, if he had been there. What do you think this says about how she felt about Bram as a protector?

2. Lottie Dreiser does not remember the incident described about the chicks. What does this say about Hagar as a narrator?

3. John's death effected Hagar deeply. However, she was not able to show the emotion until she drinks wine with Mr. Lee. Why do you think that was?

4. In the hospital, how is Hagar's soft food diet ironic?

5. Compare Hagar and Doris. Has their relationship changed during this book?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is said that pride is Hagar's downfall. Site several examples. Was she prideful in her dress, speech, and/or attitude? How did she treat the people around her?