Adriana Mather implies that the actions of one’s ancestors carry weight. Do you agree or disagree? Give specific examples to support your argument.

There are many lessons Sam learns over the course of the novel about self-acceptance. What is one of these lessons, and how does learning this message change her and lead to her full transformation at the end of the novel?

The two examples of motherhood in this novel are very polarized. The mother figure is either a wicked stepmother or an angel. What do you think was the author’s purpose for not having a middle ground when it comes to mother figures? What would the addition of a middle-ground character offer the text?