1. What explanation, if any, does Marshall Graham give his children for leaving their mother? Is his stand justified?
2. What is Cynthia’s attitude when she learns that Marshall has moved out of their home? When she learns of it, what does her demeanor suggest to you?
3. There is a second break in relations between family members. What is the occasion for it?
4. What is Mama Carrie’s role in this turmoil? Do you think she might have anticipated it?
5. What does each member of the Graham family inherit? Do you believe the distribution is fair? Why?
6. Why is Kellie dissatisfied with the will?
7. What is the first thing Kellie does in connection with Lacette’s inheritance that gives a clue to her real character?
8. What is your opinion of Lawrence Bradley? How does he react after making love with Kellie the first time? The second time?
9. What is Bradley’s response when Kellie puts her cards on the table and tells what she wants? Does your opinion of him change? What do you think of him at this point?
10. Why do you think Lacette is closest to her father and Kellie closest to her mother? Do you think parents should not show favoritism among their children? Lacette is not bitter. Why is this?
11. Give examples of ways in which Kellie’s greed leads to her downfall.
12. Does this story provide a lesson in the way parents influence the development of their children’s values and ethics?
13. Do you believe that Melvin Moody is in any way responsible for Kellie’s lack of morals?
14. Lacette is strongly goal oriented. How is this expressed? Compare this to Kellie’s outlook.
15. For what reason does Lacette develop a liaison with Jefferson Smith? When he came into her life, did she need him? Should he have told her his marital status? Should she have asked? Why does she regret the liaison with him?
16. How is Lacette’s brooch finally located? Who provides the tip? Why is Lacette susceptible to belief in the occult?
17. How does Douglas’s son effectively derail progress in Douglas and Lacette’s relationship? How is he responsible for its repair?
18. What accounts for Douglas’s initial negative reaction to Kellie? How did that influence his relationship with Lacette?
19. Which two characters represent reason and morality in this story? Which two most represent depravity?
20. In what specific ways does Douglas demonstrate his profound love for Lacette?
21. What incident leads Cynthia to see and acknowledge her role in Kellie’s self-centeredness and arrogance?
22. Throughout the story, Kellie engages in immoral behavior. As a result of what amoral act on Kellie’s part does Lacette break ties with Douglas? In a vicious act, she exacts revenge against Douglas. To whom does he turn for help in solving the problem Kellie creates, and what is the result?
23. How does Marshall bring about the reconciliation between Lacette and Douglas?
24. Kellie’s lover abuses and controls her. What cruel act shocks her so that she leaves him and returns to her parental home, remorseful and contrite?