Explain how the mediating experience is a metaphor for Susannah's coming of age experience. Give concrete examples.

Describe some telling details of how Susannah is wise beyond her years.

Why does Susannah use sarcasm?

Discuss how false pretenses play a role in Susannah's attempts to perform her mediating duties. What about the false or incomplete information Susannah receives about the Beaumonts? How does this become so twisted that she cannot find the truth, until the very end?

How is Susannah still like a child at the end of the novel? How is she more like an adult?

Discuss how Susannah gets a handle on her teenage angst.

Give some examples of how the author used irony within the novel.