1. Karen spends a great deal of time reading Dorothy L. Sayers's "Lord Peter" mysteries. In several of these novels, an independent female character named Harriet Vane appears as one of the main characters. Read the novel Strong Poison and compare Harriet and Augusta. What are their similarities?

Their differences?

2. When Augusta invites Allan home for Thanksgiving, Cheryl, Karen's mother, bakes a ham for dinner, and Augusta is appalled by her sister's blatant disregard for Allan's religion.

Many Jews follow strict dietary laws, of which one rule is not to eat pork.

Examine the Jewish dietary code. What rules govern if a food is kosher? From a modern point of view, are these laws still necessary?

4. Pei tells the story through the eyes of Karen, an adolescent. How would the story change if Augusta told the story? Choose a pivotal scene...