The Teller of Small Fortunes

Compare and contrast the novel’s portrayal of biological bonds and voluntary relationships. Which seems stronger? Explain with examples from the novel.

Tao has a selective approach to sharing her visions: She reveals certain futures while concealing others. How do her choices explore the tension between foreknowledge and the responsibility to act on this knowledge? Examine whether Tao’s decisions to withhold certain truths are acts of protection or avoidance.

The philosophical troll claims “That All Paths Are Predetermined, And Choice Does Not Exist” (126), while Kina counters that one can “choose to be happy, and let that be purpose enough” (128). How does the novel resolve this tension between determinism and free will through its portrayal of prophecy and fulfillment? Does Tao’s accurate vision of Leah ultimately support or undermine the concept of meaningful choice?

Examine each character’s role in the Splinthorn Woods quest, focusing on how their traits contribute to the mission’s potential success. How does this quest ultimately challenge their assumptions about who they are and what they value?

How does Leong’s portrayal of the Guild of Mages subvert traditional fantasy tropes about magical institutions? In what ways does High Mage Melea’s characterization challenge simplified narratives of institutional corruption or heroism?

Pick out three scenes from the novel in which food plays a central role. Analyze how it connects characters and what it represents in each scene.

How do the novel’s physical settings (like the coast or mountains) and symbolic spaces (like the water wall in Splinthorn Woods or the top chamber of the Guild Tower) reflect or catalyze the characters’ psychological developments?

In what ways does The Teller of Small Fortunes suggest that prejudice is shaped by cultural, historical, and political factors? What does the novel reveal about why some communities (like Culic) are xenophobic while others, like Turtling, are more accepting?