| Characters: |
| 1. |
Why do you think Martha becomes good friends with Trevor and Eli? What do they have in common? What are their differences?
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| 2. |
Why does Martha's father allow Hildy Swoon to take over their house and to throw out his wife's clothes? What causes the change in his personality at the end of the book?
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| 3. |
Charley and Kate McGill are wonderful parents, yet they keep Trevor and Eli away from the sea where they found them. Why do they fear the water so much? What do they fear if their sons see the ocean again?
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| 4. |
What is the importance of Richard Grady? How does his character evolve through the story? What causes the change in him?
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| 5. |
What is the importance of Jeannette Morton, a character we only meet at the end of the story? What does she represent to Martha and to Martha's father?
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| 6. |
Martha's mother dies before the story begins, but we know more about her than some of the other characters. Why is Martha's mother such a strong force in the story? How does the author acquaint the reader with her personality? Do we know her only through Martha?
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Setting and Theme: |
| 1. |
The residents of the town of Oak Grove are afraid of water. How many images can you find in the description of the town that make this clear? How have the people conspired to keep their town dry? Can anyone ever truly control the destiny of the place where they live?
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| 2. |
Interior settings are also important in this story. Why do the McGills paint over the boys' room after Trevor and Eli paint it blue? Why does Hildy try to destroy the shawl that means so much to Martha?
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| 3. |
Martha, Trout and Eel say that they are not "runaways," they are "run-tos." (p. 34) What do they mean? Does this make a difference in how they feel about their journey? Would it make a difference to their parents?
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| 4. |
After the flood, Martha notices that Oak Grove looks different, "as if the floodwaters had washed everything clean." What does the flood represent for Martha? What does it represent for the town, for Martha's father, for the McGills, for Hildy Swoon?
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| 5. |
Alice Hoffman has said, " . . . the truest journey is always the one made within the reaches of the human heart." How does she demonstrate this belief in the story? What is the true journey for Martha? for Martha's father? for Trout and Eel? for Kate and Charlie McGill?
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| 6. |
Past, present and future are all important in this story, as they are in each of our lives. How does the past affect Martha, Trout and Eel? How do their actions in the story affect the future? Discuss events in your own past that have affected you deeply, and ways you can create your future by the actions you take now.
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