Mother is described as being the happiest and also being the saddest person in the lives of the characters in Florida. Mother's sadness originates from her actual life, but her happiness seems to be the product of her fantasies about "her" Florida. Is happiness that results from unreal daydreams or personal fictions just as good as happiness that is derived from actual events in a person's life?

Throughout the book, we witness Alice grow from being a napve child to a mature woman. Who are the people who most influence Alice's development as a person? What kind of influence does each person exert on Alice? To what extent do you think Alice shaped herself?

Do you think that Alice has managed to escape becoming like her mother?

Are the losses that Alice has had to endure best described as setbacks or opportunities for growth...