Uprooted

Discuss and analyze the ways the novel draws inspiration from Polish/Slavic folklore. How does this inspiration manifest, and in what ways might knowledge of this inspiration influence engagement with or interpretation of the novel?

Consider the moments in which Agnieszka and Sarkan jointly perform magic. How do these instances add nuance to the depiction of magic, as well as power broadly?

How does the romantic subplot between Agnieszka and Sarkan contribute to the novel’s character development and/or overarching conflicts?

Discuss the depiction of the valley residents as bound to the Wood. How does this portrayal complicate the binary framing of the Wood as evil and the human settlements as good? What is the significance of this in terms of the novel’s overarching themes?

Compare and contrast Agnieszka and Kasia’s character arcs. What do their similarities and differences say about the plot or themes of the novel? How do their differing decisions about whether to stay in the valley contribute to their individual journeys toward adulthood and self-acceptance?

Consider the dual role of stories. What does the novel distinguish “good” stories from “bad” ones?

Using examples from the text and context clues, explain why Sarkan resists both Agnieszka and the valley throughout the novel, as well as why he returns at the end.

Analyze the imagery used to describe the Wood, including the illness that it causes. What point do you think the novel is making about the natural world?