Captivity

1.  How do the multiple points-of-view serve to explore the theme of animal rights, particularly as they apply to chimpanzees?  Which perspective aligns most closely with your own?  

2. How do the events in the chimpanzee society mirror those of the human one, and vice versa?  How are they different? 

3. Zack and Dana survived their father’s language experiment in very different ways.  Explore how their experiences with Annie have shaped their adult lives.  Why do you believe the trauma manifested itself the way it did?  What kind of conflict does it create between them?

More Questions for Captivity . . .

Trutor & the Balloonist

1.  How does the New England setting shape both the story and the characters?  Could it be considered a character in itself?  Why, or why not?

2.  How does the theme of legacy surface throughout the novel?  What do you think Michelle Trutor’s legacy might be?

3.  Caroline’s diaries express her personal beliefs on the topics of art, death, love, and other topics.  Do you agreed or disagree with them?  How do these views impact the story itself?

More Questions for Trutor & the Balloonist . . .

The Earth and the Sky

1. Why do you think the author chose this title to represent the entire collection?

2. Most of the stories occur either outside the United States or from the point-of-view of those born in other countries.  How do the stories set in the U.S., with American protagonists, fit with the others?

3. The “twin” stories of “The Advancement of Dawn” and “The Dance of the Falling Comet” culminate in the same, defining event.  How do the different points-of-view complement each other?  What do they convey about Taipei, both separately and together?

More Questions for The Earth and the Sky . . .

Copyright 2007 by Debbie Lee Wesselmann

Discussion Questions for Book Clubs