Lives of Girls and Women

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2001

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

“The Flats Road”

“Heirs of the Living Body”

“Princess Ida”

“Age of Faith”

“Changes and Ceremonies”

“Lives of Girls and Women”

“Baptizing”

“Epilogue: The Photographer”

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

Compare and contrast two settings in the collection—such as Jubilee, the Flats Road, Jenkin’s Bend, the Wawanash River, or the church. How do the settings impact Del’s development and character arc throughout the stories?

How does religion function in the text? What role does it play in Del’s understanding of the world?

Why does Del store Craig’s manuscript in the basement? Why isn’t she interested in finishing it, despite her interest in storytelling and writing? Support your response with evidence from the text.