Mercy Among the Children

Write about how the novel interacts with the canon of Canadian literature. 

In the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation, the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Christ. Write about the relationship of the literal and the metaphorical or allegorical in the novel.

Why do you think Richards titled the novel Mercy Among the Children? How does the title touch upon the novel’s themes?

What is the function of intertextuality in Richards’s novel?

Discuss the theme of justice and how Richards uses his characters to emphasize this throughout the novel.

Why do you think Lyle wanted to tell Terrieux his life story? Evidence your argument with examples from the novel.

Richards’s novel wrestles with Christian doctrine. How problematic is religion in the novel? Support your opinion with evidence.

To what extent can the novel be taken literally? Discuss the literary devices you consider most significant.