The Medicine Woman of Galveston

Analyze Tucia’s experiences with Dr. Addams and Huey. How are the two men characterized, and how are they different or similar? How does Tucia’s interactions with each reflect the gender dynamics explored in the book?

The book actively works to dismantle some stereotypes and prejudices that are commonly encountered in society, including those about mental health. What are some of these stereotypes? How do various characters challenge these stereotypes in different ways?

The backstories of the different members in the medicine show are presented as interludes throughout the story. How do these interludes illustrate some of the book’s key themes and ideas?

The novel examines the experience and nature of trauma. What different forms of trauma appear in the narrative? How is trauma and its aftermath explored in the text?

Tucia is determined to survive, but she often realizes that she must make difficult moral choices to do so. How does her conception of survival change over the course of the novel, and what is the wider significance of survival in her character arc?

The novel examines the importance of resilience in the face of societal and natural adversities. How do various characters—e.g., Tucia, Fanny, Lawrence—demonstrate resiliency?

Tucia displays immense character growth throughout the course of the book. Comment on the journeys of the other characters—are there similar progressions in their arcs? If so, in what ways?

The Medicine Woman of Galveston exposes various types of power dynamics and imbalances that individuals can face: gender and sexual power dynamics, economic power dynamics, racial power dynamics, and societal power dynamics. How does the text examine these various dynamics? How do some of these dynamics overlap or illuminate one another?