The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane - Discussion Questions (!!SPOILER ALERT!!)

[Heather]

So, what did you think of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane? This is a SPOILER THREAD, so if you haven't yet finished the book, please visit the Spoiler Free thread.

Here are some discussion questions for you to ponder. You don't have to answer these specifically if you don't want to, but feel free to use them as a springboard for your discussion. Also, if you have any questions, free free to ask them. Tag me (just type Heather and I'll see it) and I can add them to the list of questions.

DISCUSSIONS QUESTIONS:
1. The story follows several sets of mothers and daughters: Connie and Grace, Grace and Sophia, Deliverance and Mercy, Mercy and Prudence. How do these mother/daughter relationships differ from one another? How are they the same? Did you identify with one set more than the others?

2. Most of the main characters in the novel are women. How have women’s roles changed from the 17th century to the 20th century? What about their obligations and opportunities?

3. As an historian, Connie likes to interpret the past in light of the present. Sam, however, is a preservationist: he likes to keep the past intact, sometimes at the expense of the present. How are their opposing feelings about the past made apparent? Would you classify yourself as an historian or a preservationist?

4. How do some of the buildings, such as Saltonstall Court, the Harvard Faculty Club, and the Milk Street House, function as characters in the story?

5. Discuss the role of Arlo in the novel. Does he share characteristics with the "cunning folk" in Connie’s past?

6. What role does religion play in the novel? Is Christianity contradictory or complementary to magic in this story?

7. Do you think magic, as represented in this book, exists in the real world? If so, how does it manifest itself? Do we use different terms to describe it today?

8. Deliverance has a chance to escape with her daughter the night before she is put to death. Why does she make the choice she does?

9. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane is the latest in a long line of books about witchcraft in Salem. Why do you think we’re still so enthralled by this moment in history? What does Salem have to teach us about our culture today?
(Questions issued by publisher.)

[RedReadingRoom]

I really enjoyed this book this month! I went in knowing nothing about it and fell in love - which is always satisfying 😄

1 - the mothers
I think each mother daughter "set" that we saw fell somewhere along the same continuum. They all loved each other and did what they did out of love dispite their differing ways of showing it - imean, Mercy trying to rescue Deliverance from the noose is a far more obvious demonstration than that of Prudence selling the book or Grace sending Connie to the house - but I think the intent of intense maternal love is the same throughout the generations.

2 - role of women
I wont say much on this one since my views on the subject tend to annoy people. Instead i will leave it at gender rolls throughout (modern) history are fluid and i think this book portrayed them well.

3 - past vs. present
I think I fall somewhere in the middle of the two - the past is important but so is the present. The Milk street house is probably the best example of Connies view. Modernizing and clearing out the trash where as Sam, in his very job, puts history back together as it "should" be

4 - roll of the buildings
I didnt feel that the buildings were characters rather extensions of the characters. Milk Street being a magical place for magical women, the faculty club with its foreign menues indicaative of a person she will fail to understand.

5 - cunning folk
I think Arlo had the potential to be more than he was. He had the makings of being a familar or a gaurdian but it wasnt really built enough

6 - religion
Christianity and magic seem to be extentions of each other in this story


7 - magic
Historically magic was just the catchall term for things not understood. Healing for example - what we now call everyday medicine would have once been considered witchcraft. Whose to say that there arent other forms of magic out there - we dont know even close to everything about this world after all.

8 - Deliverance
I think she knew that it needed to happen. She knew her reputation and if she remained free the likelyhood of other women - her daughter included - paying the price, would be far too high

9 - influence
As a society we are a morbid bunch. We are facinated by tragedy - and when view with moderen eyes, the Salem trials are certainly that.

[Eden]

1. Connie can't stand her mother's beliefs at the beginning. Connie is not receptive to it at all. Deliverance and Mercy have a good relationship. Deliverance is teaching Mercy her craft and they enjoy the time together. Mercy and Prudence seem to have an awkward relationship. Prudence knows of her mother's work, and in turn, her grandmother's as well, but because of what it causes, she wants nothing to do with it. They all love each other
I don't particularly identify with any of them. I love the relationship between Deliverance and Mercy the most though.

2. Now, women have a more active role in society. Most women are still homemakers and the main caregivers for children and we have responsibilities to their families, but we work and we have roles as leaders in society. We also have just as many opportunities as men!

3. The only moment that stands out to me regarding their views is the Halloween scene. Connie is angry that people make light of the witch trials, while same doesn't see it that way.
I think that I am more of a preservationist.

4. The milk street house is the only one that I would say functions like a character. It has it's own history and story. It has its own characteristics. It's almost like the house is a living breathing being. That's how I felt about it the entire book. I kept thinking " If only the walls could talk!"

5. I love Arlo. He's been around for every single woman in Connie's history. I really like that a dog was put in this role instead of a cat. I think he was meant to be Connie's familiar. It wasn't discussed, but at the end of the book, I think it's safe to draw that conclusion.
6. Religion does not play a large role in Connie's story. It does play a role in the lives of her ancestors. The church controlled so much in the days of Deliverance and Mercy. The church is the reason the witch trials took place. They were terrified of the accusations that were being made against the women. I personally don't believe that there was any witchcraft taking place. The little girls were just trying to cause problems and push blame for their actions onto others to avoid getting into trouble.
Christianity was meant to complementary to magic. The women using it were doing the Lord's work in their eyes.

7. I do not think that magic like this exists. Sure, people still use herbs and things to try to cure illnesses, but I don't think that's magic. I don't think anyone can mutter some Latin and make a flower grow before their eyes. So I guess the answer is yes and no, depending on what part of the "magic" you're referring to.

8. Deliverance chose to stay and face death because if she ran she would truly look guilty. More guilty than people already thought she was. She also mentioned that if the father of the child she was accused of killing knew what really killed her, he would be devastated and he would die inside. She was so brave. It's very admirable that she stayed. I know I wouldn't have.

9. This moment in history is still a mystery. Most people don't think these women were doing magic, but what DID they do to make people believe the accusations of the little bratty girls that were the accusers?? No one knows what really took place.
I think Salem teaches us about judgement. Who are we to judge and condemn someone when we don't have a clue what's going on? When we don't have first hand knowledge of a situation.

I truly loved this book. I gave it 5 stars. Awesome read!