42 pages • 1-hour read
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies
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Essay Topics
What is the effect of the biblical allusions in stories “Eula,” “Dear Sister,” and “Jael”? How do these allusions change the way you read the story?
Compare two stories in The Secret Lives of Church Ladies in regard to the book’s theme of mother/daughter relationships.
Why do you think that the protagonist in “Not-Daniel” feels relief rather than guilt or fear? How is this comparable to characters from other stories?
What does the snow represent in “Snowfall”?
What is the significance of the ending of “Dear Sister”? What message does it put across about the story overall?
What is the significance of the peach cobbler in “Peach Cobbler,” and how does the symbol change from the beginning of the story to the end?
How do you see “home” being redefined throughout the stories “Snowfall” and “How to Make Love to a Physicist”?
How does the structure of “Instructions for Married Christian Husbands” change the way you read the story?
What is the central conflict in “Snowfall”? What seems to be the message about embracing one’s sexual orientation?
Analyze Lyra’s transformation in “How to Make Love to a Physicist.” What steps does she take, and what’s the end result?
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