This Motherless Land

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of racism

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. In what ways does Nikki May’s retelling of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park transform the original story to address themes of racial identity and cultural dislocation?

2. What emotional impact did the novel’s portrayal of Funke’s multiple dislocations have on you?

3. The novel explores the lingering effects of colonialism through personal relationships rather than explicit political commentary. What aspects of this approach did you find most effective?

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

1. When have you had to adapt to a new environment, as several characters in This Motherless Land do? How did the experience change you, and were those changes permanent? 

2. The novel shows Funke’s attempt to assimilate by changing her name and hair. Have you ever modified aspects of your identity to fit into a new environment?

3. Consider a time when you felt like an outsider in a place that was supposed to be “home.” What strategies did you use to create a sense of belonging? Did they mirror or differ from Funke’s approach?

4. Funke discovers that “home” can exist in multiple places simultaneously. What places have felt like home to you throughout your life, and what made them feel that way?

5. The bottle cap becomes a physical manifestation of Funke’s emotional pain. What objects in your life have served as similar touchstones during difficult transitions?

6. The novel explores how privilege operates differently across cultural contexts. When have you become aware of your own privilege in unexpected ways?

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

1. The novel portrays racism both in England through the Stone family’s treatment of Funke and in Nigeria through her treatment as “Yellow Funke” and “oyinbo.” What does this dual experience reveal about the complexity of racial identity?

2. Hair serves as an important cultural signifier throughout the novel, with Funke changing her hairstyle to reflect her changing identity. How does this mirror contemporary conversations about Black hair, self-expression, and cultural politics?

3. What insights does the novel’s exploration of Anglo-Nigerian identity offer regarding the legacy of British colonialism in West Africa?

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

1. The novel employs a shifting point of view between Funke and Liv. What insights does this narrative choice provide that a single perspective would have missed?

2. The pearl necklaces symbolize the relationship between Lizzie and Margot, and later between Funke and Liv. Trace the necklaces’ journey through the novel and explain how their meaning evolves over time.

3. May creates dramatic irony when Liv believes Funke is dead while readers know she is alive. What emotional impact does this evoke?

4. The novel presents multiple “homes” for Funke, each with their own disappointments and comforts. In what ways does the motif of home reflect the novel’s themes of cultural dislocation?

5. What aspects of Funke’s journey distinguish it from conventional coming-of-age narratives?

6. The Stone family’s wealth creates a specific kind of privilege that stands in contrast to the privilege Funke experiences in Nigeria. Analyze how the novel portrays these different forms of social advantage.

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to create a playlist for This Motherless Land, what songs would you include to represent Funke’s journey between Nigeria and England?

2. Imagine an additional chapter set five years after the epilogue. What might have changed for Funke and Liv, and how would their relationship have evolved?

3. If you were designing a book cover for This Motherless Land, what images, colors, and symbols would you include to capture the novel’s central themes?

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