Discussion Questions Part Three

[Debbie]

Part Three

11. What does Vivian mean when she says, “I believe in ghosts”?

12. When Vivian finally shares the truth about the birth of her daughter and her decision to put May up for adoption she tells Molly that she was “selfish” and “afraid.” Molly defends her and affirms Vivian’s choice. How did you perceive Vivian’s decision? Were you surprised she sent her child to be adopted after her own experiences with the Children’s Aid Society?

13. When the children are presented to audiences of potential caretakers, the Children’s Aid Society explains adoptive families are responsible for the child’s religious upbringing. What role does religion play in this novel? How do Molly and Vivian each view God?

14. When Vivian and Dutchy are reunited she remarks, “However hard I try, I will always feel alien and strange. And now I’ve stumbled on a fellow outsider, one who speaks my language without saying a word.” How is this also true for her friendship with Molly?

15. When Vivian goes to live with the Byrnes Fanny offers her food and advises, “You got to learn to take what people are willing to give.” In what ways is this good advice for Vivian and Molly? What are some instances when their independence helped them?

16. Molly is enthusiastic about Vivian’s reunion with her daughter, but makes no further efforts to see her own mother. Why is she unwilling or unable to effect a reunion in her own family? Do you think she will someday?

17. Vivian’s Claddagh cross is mentioned often throughout the story. What is its significance? How does its meaning change or deepen over the course of Vivian’s life?

[Karen]

Alian and outside. I think this was the best way Vivian could vocally express her feelings for loss of family , her loss of "center" for who she was as a person, because with each new setting she was inserted in to, she had to reinvent who she was. Several times this insluded a new name, New familial atmosphere and expectations, sometimes new horrors and monsters in the dark. She finally came to the place where she withdrew behind a protective shell and just walked through the motions of life, she only looked in from the outside, because she could not afford to let down her guard or open herself up to hurt enough to let herself love or be loved. That did not mean she was not kind and caring, for she was.
Molly had been through the same tough experiences. She slowly shut down and locked the world out. It wasn't until Molly and Vivian met each other that they each found someone they could trust and love.
The depth of how much Molly could love and care for some one showed in how diligently she worked to find Vivians family. I also loved how Vivian blossomed as her friendship with Molly grew. It was wonderful and entertaining, especially when she discovered Amazon. lol

[Karen]

The one other time Vivian let down her guard to her soul mate, he was whisked away and KIA before she knew it. I will admit I was shocked and devestated at her reaction and decision to give up the baby for adoption upon her birth. I am still grappling with that one.

[April]

The ghosts were the ones Vivian felt looked after her when no one else did. Their memories kept her company.

I was very shocked to learn Vivian gave up her daughter for adoption. I was confused and upset by her action (thinking after what she was put through, she would want to be the one to take care of her child and not leave her daughter's fate in the hands of someone else) and understood it at the same time (I could see how Vivian was to the breaking point. She didn't think she could lose one more person that she loved without completely falling apart.).

Molly and Vivan are both outsiders. They have been through similar experiences and they know what it is like to not really belong with the people who are taking care of them.

I think Molly saw her mother was still in jail and thought she wasn't trying to change, she wasn't making an effort to get Molly back. I don't see Molly trying to reunite with her mother, unless her mother changes and makes the first move to see Molly and apologize.

The Claddagh cross was a gift from her grandmother and reminded her of her life before everything turned upside down. It was the one thing she held onto as she skipped from house to house and it was with Dutchy when he died. I think it reminded her of all the people she loved.