2. What has changed about Stephanie's bedroom from the time she lived there in high school? What does this say about how Stephanie's mother views her?

3. How does Morelli help defend Grandma Mazur and Stephanie against Kenny?

4. When Grandma Mazur is attacked, this hurts Stephanie more than if she were attacked. Why?

5. How does Grandma Mazur save both herself and Stephanie from Kenny?

6. What does the fact that Stephanie's mother tried to set Stephanie up with Spiro say about her mother's judgment?

7. Mrs. Plum is suddenly on Stephanie's side and wants her to succeed at capturing Kenny. Why?

8. Kenny's acts of violence start small and then progress into larger, more grotesque actions. Explain the escalation.

9. When Stephanie agrees to guard Spiro, it seems she is simply accepting money to do something she finds distasteful. Is this the reason?

10. In Chapter Eleven, what action does Stephanie take that causes the religious structure of the 'Burg to be revealed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The 'Burg was practically a character in the novel itself. This community had a life of its own and beliefs of its own that shaped the characters and the outcome of the story.

Part 1) Describe the 'Burg. What were its unique qualities? How did its character affect the story?

Part 2) What is the significance of the 'Burg in this novel? Could the same story be as believable without the 'Burg as a location?

Part 3) If you were to offer up a different setting for the story, what would be a location option as strong as this one and why?

Essay Topic 2

Stephanie's independence is a driving force in the novel. How would the story be different if the lead character was not so fiercely independent?

Part 1) Acknowledge the many ways Stephanie exerts her independence. How does her independence affect her interpersonal relationships? Does it help them or hurt them?

Part 2) Cite examples in the story where Stephanie's independence either helped or hurt her. Could she have prevented the attack on Grandma Mazur? Was it her independence that made her a target?

Part 3) What do you think would happen if Stephanie had relied more upon Morelli or her family during the story, instead of trying to handle everything alone? Would the case have been solved sooner? Would it have been solved at all?

Essay Topic 3

Stephanie's apartment is a safe haven that reflects her independent lifestyle. Analyze why the break-in at Stephanie's apartment affected her in the way that it did. Consider the following...

1. What does the apartment symbolize?

2. Why is it important to Stephanie?

3. What was the significance of Stephanie having to leave her apartment to protect her family?

4. Why was it important for her to return to the apartment at the end of the story?

(see the answer keys)

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