1. What qualities do Mrs. Leeks and Mrs. Aleshine share?

2. Why are the two widows determined to maintain their values, attitudes, and proper conduct even on a desert island?

3. Why are the sailors attracted to Barb'ry Aleshine rather than to Mrs. Leeks?

4. Stockton uses both physical and psychological humor in depicting his characters. What scenes reflect broad physical humor?

5. A plot is based on conflict of some kind. With what and whom are Mrs. Leeks and Mrs. Aleshine in conflict?

6. Life on the island goes smoothly until the arrival of the second group of castaways. Complications arise because the values of the Reverend Enderton differ from those of Mrs. Leeks and Mrs. Aleshine. What are these differences?

7. Does the author expect the reader to take seriously the concern that the two widows have about leaving money for the use of the house, or is this...