Study Questions and Suggested Essay Topics
Study Questions
What homecomings take place during the book? Which is the most important and why?
Would the book have been essentially the same if it had consisted only of the journey between Bridgeport and Crisfield (if Momma had abandoned them in Bridgeport and there had been no Cousin Eunice in the book)? Why or why not?
Contrast Dicey's attitude toward Maybeth with Gram's attitude toward her in the last chapter. Who has a healthier attitude? Why do you think so?
Suggested Essay Topics
Why does Dicey lie to her siblings about Momma's past? Does Dicey sometimes lie to herself? Why do you think so?
How does James react to being abandoned? How does his reaction evidence itself in his interactions with people outside the family circle?
Why does Gram finally decide to take the children in?
Why do the children leave Eunice's? Were they right or wrong to do so?
Why does Dicey love sailing and the ocean?
