What is the author trying to achieve with her parody of rural country life?

In what ways is nature used to typify characters such as Seth, Meriam, and Elfine?

Why do you think the author chose to give her heroine, Flora Poste, the least growth or change compared to the other characters in the novel?

How does the descriptive language add to humor and satire?

Sukebind is a recurring motif. When does it appear in the novel and what does it seem to represent in those instances?

How does gender play a part in terms of power, control, and traditional roles?

In what ways are the main characters stereotypical and in what ways do they break their archetypes?

Several "secrets" remain unanswered by the end of the novel, such as what Aunt Ada saw in the woodshed and what Flora's rights were based on...