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1. Why do you think the author
chose to tell the story through two narrators? How are Lavinia's
observations and judgments different from Belle's? Does this story
belong to one more than the other? If you could choose another character
to narrate the novel, who would it be?
2. One of the novel's themes is history repeating itself. Another theme
is isolation. Select scenes from The Kitchen House that depict
each theme and discuss. Are there scenes in which the two themes
intersect?
3. "Mae knows that her eldest daughter consorts with my husband. . .
Almost from the beginning, I suspected their secrets" (page 107). Why
does the captain keep Belle's true identity a secret from his wife and
children? Do you think the truth would have been a relief to his family
or torn them further apart? At what point does keeping this secret turn
tragic?
4. Discuss the significance of birds and bird nests in the novel. What
or who do they symbolize? What other symbols support the novel?
5. "When I saw their hunger I was struck with a deep familiarity and
turned away, my mind anxious to keep at bay memories it was not yet
ready to recall" (page 24). Consider Lavinia's history. Do you think the
captain saved her life by bringing her to America as an indentured
servant? Or do you think it was a fate worse than the one she would have
faced in Ireland? Discuss the difference between slavery and indentured
servitude.
6. Marshall is a complicated character. At times, he is kind and
protective; other times, he is a violent monster. What is the secret
that Marshall is forced to keep? Is he to blame for what happened to
Sally? Why do you think Marshall was loyal to Rankin, who was a
conspirator with Mr. Waters?
7. "I grew convinced that if she saw me, she would become well again"
(page 188). Why does Lavinia feel that her presence would help Miss
Martha? Describe their relationship. If Lavinia is nurtured by Mama and
Belle, why does she need Miss Martha's attention? Is the relationship
one-sided, or does Miss Martha care for Lavinia in return?
8. "Fortunately, making myself amenable was not foreign to me, as I had
lived this way for much of my life" (page 233). Do you think this
attribute of Lavinia saves or endangers her life? Give examples for
both.
9. Describe the relationship between Ben's wife, Lucy, and Belle. How
does it evolve throughout the novel? Is it difficult for you to
understand their friendship? Why or why not?
10. "I was as enslaved as all the others" (page 300). Do you think this
statement by Lavinia is fair? Is her position equivalent to those of the
slaves? What freedom does she have that the slaves do not? What burdens
does her race put upon her?
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