A Calamity of Souls

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of racism, death, graphic violence, and bullying.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Baldacci uses the courtroom as the central battleground for racial justice in A Calamity of Souls. How effective did you find this approach in exposing the systemic racism of 1960s America? How does it compare to other legal thrillers you’ve read that address social justice issues, such as Baldacci’s The Last Mile?

2. The novel presents multiple examples of personal transformation, from Jack’s growing activism to Hilly’s confrontation with her past. Which character’s journey did you find most compelling or authentic, and why?

3. Despite its tragic ending with Jerome’s murder, the novel suggests hope for racial reconciliation through individual relationships and changing attitudes. Did you find this message ultimately optimistic or pessimistic about America’s ability to overcome its racist past?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Jack initially hesitates to take Jerome’s case, fearing professional and personal repercussions, but ultimately chooses to act on his principles. Have you ever been in a situation where standing up for what’s right came with significant personal cost? How did you make your decision?

2. The novel explores how violence and tragedy can be catalysts for changed perspectives, as seen when Lucy’s death transforms Hilly’s views on race. Has there been a pivotal event in your life that dramatically shifted your understanding of a social issue or personal belief?

3. DuBose maintains professional boundaries with Jack throughout most of the novel, reluctant to develop personal feelings for a white colleague. How have you experienced tension between professional relationships and personal feelings in your own life? How did you navigate this challenge?

4. Miss Jessup tells Jack she never tried to get to know white people because she’s “too old and seen too much” (294). How have your own life experiences shaped your willingness to connect with people different from yourself?

5. Family support proves crucial for Jack, especially after his home is burned down and Lucy is killed. When have you relied on family or community support during a challenging time, and how did this experience affect your relationships?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The novel is set in 1968, shortly after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., and during a pivotal point in the Civil Rights Movement. How do the racial tensions depicted in the novel reflect or differ from racial issues in America today?

2. Howard Pickett uses racial division to distract working-class white people from economic injustice perpetrated by the wealthy. Where do you see similar tactics being employed in contemporary politics or media?

3. The novel portrays a legal system that had nominally outlawed segregation but still operated with deep structural racism. What examples of this disconnect between law and practice do you observe in today’s justice system?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Baldacci contrasts Jack and DuBose as foils with different races, experiences, and approaches to the case. How does this contrast contribute to the novel’s exploration of racial injustice and highlight different perspectives on achieving social change?

2. The Penny Bridge serves as both a physical and symbolic divide between white and Black communities in Freeman County. What other symbols in the novel effectively communicate the theme of racial division, and how do these symbols evolve as the story progresses?

3. The novel frequently employs the motif of combatting bullies as a metaphor for standing up to racism. How does this metaphor illuminate or potentially oversimplify the complex nature of systemic racism?

4. Jack’s speech after the trial advocates for unity and focusing on commonalities rather than differences. How does this speech function as a culmination of his character arc, and what does it suggest about Baldacci’s view on achieving racial reconciliation?

5. The novel draws parallels to Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird but also emphasizes crucial differences. How does Baldacci’s portrayal of a legal battle against racism in the 1960s build upon or challenge the narrative established by Lee’s classic set in the 1930s?

6. Secondary characters like Hilly and Miss Jessup undergo significant transformations in their racial attitudes. How do their parallel journeys contribute to the novel’s theme of overcoming personal bias?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. The novel ends with Jack and DuBose beginning both a professional and personal relationship despite significant challenges. Write an epilogue that explores what their law practice and relationship might look like five years later.

2. Jerome’s death at the end of the trial leaves his story tragically incomplete. Develop a memorial speech that Pearl might deliver at his funeral, reflecting on his life, character, and the injustice he faced.

3. The relationship between Jeff and Christine hints at a complex past and shared perspectives on the Vietnam War. Craft a scene depicting their conversation after the trial that explores their history and views on the social changes occurring in America.

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