The Book of the Dead
Discussion Questions: The Book of the Dead
1. Why are Annie and her father in Florida?
2. Where does Annie’s father go when he leaves the motel, and what does he do?
3. What surprising information does Annie’s father give her about his past?
4. Why does Annie hold back from promising to make another statue for Gabrielle Fonteneau?
Thinking Critically
5. How does a particular historical period shape the events of this story? Could you imagine similar events happening in the lives of people who lived in another period of history, even in the present? Explain your response.
6. What basic irony is at the heart of this story—how is Annie’s father the opposite of the heroic figure she admired?
7. At the beginning of the story, what does the sculpture symbolize for Annie? What does the same sculpture symbolize for Gabrielle Fonteneau?
8. Explain the dramatic irony that builds during the luncheon at the Fonteneau’s house. In other words, what do we know that the Fonteneaus do not know?
9. What conclusion can you draw about Annie’s father from his throwing the statue away? What is the significance of his rubbing the scars on his face after the luncheon?
10. In the story, Annie first loses her father and then her sculpture. What deeper loss does Annie experience?
Discussion Questions: The Book of the Dead
1. Why are Annie and her father in Florida?
2. Where does Annie’s father go when he leaves the motel, and what does he do?
3. What surprising information does Annie’s father give her about his past?
4. Why does Annie hold back from promising to make another statue for Gabrielle Fonteneau?
Thinking Critically
5. How does a particular historical period shape the events of this story? Could you imagine similar events happening in the lives of people who lived in another period of history, even in the present? Explain your response.
6. What basic irony is at the heart of this story—how is Annie’s father the opposite of the heroic figure she admired?
7.
1. Why are Annie and her father in Florida?
2. Where does Annie’s father go when he leaves the motel, and what does he do?
3. What surprising information does Annie’s father give her about his past?
4. Why does Annie hold back from promising to make another statue for Gabrielle Fonteneau?
Thinking Critically
5. How does a particular historical period shape the events of this story? Could you imagine similar events happening in the lives of people who lived in another period of history, even in the present? Explain your response.
6. What basic irony is at the heart of this story—how is Annie’s father the opposite of the heroic figure she admired?
7. At the beginning of the story, what does the sculpture symbolize for Annie? What does the same sculpture symbolize for Gabrielle Fonteneau?
8. Explain the dramatic irony that builds during the luncheon at the Fonteneau’s house. In other words, what do we know that the Fonteneaus do not know?
9. What conclusion can you draw about Annie’s father from his throwing the statue away? What is the significance of his rubbing the scars on his face after the luncheon?
10. In the story, Annie first loses her father and then her sculpture. What deeper loss does Annie experience?
Discussion Questions: The Book of the Dead
1. Why are Annie and her father in Florida?
2. Where does Annie’s father go when he leaves the motel, and what does he do?
3. What surprising information does Annie’s father give her about his past?
4. Why does Annie hold back from promising to make another statue for Gabrielle Fonteneau?
Thinking Critically
5. How does a particular historical period shape the events of this story? Could you imagine similar events happening in the lives of people who lived in another period of history, even in the present? Explain your response.
6. What basic irony is at the heart of this story—how is Annie’s father the opposite of the heroic figure she admired?
7.